Organized C: a unified method of handling data in CAD algorithms and databases

Abstract

A data management package, called Organized C, is described. The main features of this package are simple and compact declarations which translate organizations into the definitions of classes, pointers, and access functions. This method adds a new dimension to the inheritance mechanism, works with both C and C++, and is specifically useful for CAD software which often deals with large and complex data. It also leads to a unified coding style for algorithms and memory resident databases. Practical experience indicates that organized C improves software quality and productivity in both C and C++: coding and debugging three times faster is common, while the run-time performance and memory remain as good as those of hand-coded C. Resulting programs are strongly typed, protected against dangling pointers and, because of their clear organization, are much easier to maintain.<>