An object oriented approach to virtual nodes: are package types an answer?
Stephen J. Goldsack, C. Alkinson · 1989
It is considered that a language supporting the construction of distributed systems must possess some structuring feature enabling the construction of components suitable to serve as units of network allocation and system reconfiguration. In some earlier studies of the distribution of Ada such units have been referred to as virtual nodes. [Hutcheon and Wellings 1988, Atkinson et al 1988].This paper discusses whether objects in the sense of object oriented systems are suitable to serve as virtual nodes (VNs). It then considers whether the introduction of package types could provide the kind of class object which is found in object oriented languages.In a system for the support of distribution there must also be support for network communications. The paper discusses briefly how network communication between objects can be provided.