Object Technology: The New Approach to Application Development

Object-oriented (OO) technology is the most important advance in software development in the last thirty years. CTR's 231-page report examines how OO technology's focus on software reuse offers information systems (IS) professionals the potential to develop applications more quickly, with greater reliability and higher quality. The report also evaluates the issues associated with OO performance and the benefits of OO technology.

Has Object-oriented Technology Arrived?

Object-oriented (OO) technology is the most important advance in software development in the last thirty years. As computer languages have evolved from machine to symbolic to high-level procedural languages, the process of application programming has changed more in style than in actual substance. The emergence of OO techniques, however, represents a significant paradigm shift in the approach to building computer applications.

Object technology, once the domain of academics and programming's elite, has entered the mainstream of corporate application development. OO software now pervades every area of the computer industry, governing everything from the way data is stored to how intranet applications are being constructed. OO technology is being considered by the majority of information systems (IS) organizations for mission-critical application development, according to recent research by the Standish Group International Inc.

Organizations considering OO technology implementation are faced with difficult decisions, such as the selection of specific OO tools in the areas of databases, languages, and object request brokers (ORB) which are appropriate to the needs of their application development project.

CTR's new report, Object Technology: The New Approach to Application Development, provides an overall review of OO technology issues and is an invaluable resource for IS managers responsible for evaluating and implementing OO technologies. Various methodologies and key implementation considerations are analyzed, in addition to supporting technologies that enable developers to build OO solutions for the enterprise.

OO Technology Attributes and Benefits Evaluated

The report examines the core components of OO methodology which differ from older application development techniques. The report explains how OO technology's attributes of inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and productivity gains can help an organization attain business goals of cost reduction, better quality products, faster time to market, and closer liaison with customers.

Whatever the theoretical and technological benefits bestowed by objects, there must be a measurable advantage to the enterprise before it will be supported. The report reviews issues such as software reuse and related productivity gains to assess their impact.

OO Database Management Systems

There are an endless array of application types, but almost all deal with data in one form or another. Object Technology: The New Approach to Application Development looks at the myriad of considerations associated with object-oriented database management systems (OODMS), both from a business and technical viewpoint.

Object-oriented Programming Languages and Standards

The chief benefit of object-oriented programming (OOPs) languages is their ability to model extremely complex, real-world entities. Smalltalk and C++ have been the primary vehicles for OO programming. Java is a more recent candidate, although it may be restricted to niche status. Object Technology: The New Approach to Application Development evaluates programming options, including trends in standardization.

The role of standards in object technology is significant. There are pseudo official standards as well as de facto standards that have emerged from the marketplace. The manner in which these competing entities evolve will have a large impact on the technology. The report examines the various choices available.

User Interface Issues Outlined

The modern era in graphical user interfaces (GUIs) began in the mid-1980s with Apple Computer's launch of its Macintosh platform. Microsoft's Windows pursued shortly thereafter and followed, at least conceptually, Apple's lead.

Object Technology: The New Approach to Application Development outlines issues involved with the user interface in an OO environment. The report analyzes GUIs, programming tools, and developing trends in this area.

The report also discusses specific applications in the context of OO application development. The benefits gained by the end-user of an application developed with OO techniques may include: ability to customize functionality, enhanced information sharing across multiple applications, and improved ease-of-use due to objects' modeling of real-world activities.

OO Technology Development, Implementation, and Performance Issues Discussed

Unlike procedural methodology, analysis and design is the most important stage of the OO development process, even more important than the coding itself. Object Technology: The New Approach to Application Development presents the issues and techniques involved with OO analysis and design.

Once an organization has planned, designed, and trained personnel, a system must be implemented. The report reviews general implementation principles, and then examines a client/server (C/S) application based on object technology to offer further insight.

The report also evaluates the issues associated with object-oriented performance, including the most influential design variables. Database factors affecting performance are also discussed.