[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] Date Index Thread Index Search archive:
Date:Mon Apr 3 12:58:49 1993 
Subject:ObjectClass mailing list 
From:Steve Knight 
Volume-ID:930403.01 

This note was posted to "popforum", too.  It looks like we will have
an interim gateway between popforum and news in just a few days (OK,
weeks.)  The proper gateway will take us a couple of weeks (OK, 
months) to get working ......



[If you haven't heard of ObjectClass before, this message will need 
some decoding.  I've put a little explanation of it at the end of
this message.]

It was recently suggested to me that I start up an ObjectClass mailing
list.  This seems like a sensible idea.  The mailing list will be
    popoc@hplb.hpl.hp.com
and will become live about the middle of next week.  (This delay is
due to the latency effect of organic mediation devices through to
our mail services.)

Please let me know if you would like to be put on this list.

The purpose of this list will be to report defects, request enhancements,
and to discuss the future directions of the ObjectClass work.  Since
I am still the prime developer, I have a strong interest in making
ObjectClass clean and well-integrated with POPLOG -- you can be be sure
that any bugs or ideas will be listened to with great interest.  I 
might not be able to reply immediately, I'm on a very tight project
schedule, but I will certainly track and archive the discussion.

I think there's a clear case for having a separate mailing list
given the past mailings I've received on OC.

Steve Knight

What is ObjectClass?
--------------------
ObjectClass, often abbreviated to OC, is an object-oriented programming
package for Pop-11.  It is very similar to CLOS and Dylan in nature.
I designed and implemented it several years ago and put it into the
PLUG source code archive.  It has been through some extensive scrutiny 
and revision this past year.  

It is being considered for integration into the Poplog system.  Initially 
the integration will be at a shallow level, in all likelihood, for 
simplicity an also to have a grace period in which to iron out problems
appearing in an unconstrained set of users.  If this proves successful,
then it would be natural to consider a deeper level of integration.

ISL have been very active in the ObjectClass development.  Julian
Clinton currently manages the ObjectClass work and is in control
of testing and distribution.  The support and discussion they have
provided has been vital in making OC a practical programming tool 
rather than just a clean theorectical idea.

The primary motivation behind the OC work was to build an OO package  
that was clean, simple, and efficient enough for application delivery.  
It turns out that there are many subtle and intriguing issues behind the
development of a practical OO system.  (These stem from the fact that
the OO-style can be exploited in several rather different ways.)
Keeping things clean and simple but making it flexible enough has
been a tough challenge.

OC is still under development and is being used in several research
projects around the country.

Steve