Programming distributed systems with the delegation-based object-oriented language dSelf
Robert Tolksdorf, Kai Knubben · 2002
Common middleware platforms rely on a class-based object model. However, this model introduces several dependencies that are disadvantageous for distributed systems. The family of class-less delegation-based languages offers an alternative object model with lesser such dependencies. dSelf is an extension to the delegation-and prototype-based object-oriented language SELF. It adds distributed objects and transparent remote reference resolution to the language. In consequence, dSelf facilitates distributed inheritance and instantiation mechanisms. We describe the conception and implementation of dSelf and give examples where the flexibility of dSelf can be used with benefit as a middleware concept for programming distributed systems.