Prototype-Based Programming: Concepts, Languages and Applications

by James Noble (Editor), Antero Taivalsaari (Editor)

In recent years, an alternative to the traditional class-based object-oriented language model has emerged. In this prototype-based paradigm, there are no classes. Rather, new kinds of objects are formed more directly by composing concrete, full-fledged objects, which are often referred to as prototypes. When compared to class-based languages, prototype-based languages are conceptually simpler, and have many other characteristics that make them appealing, especially for the development of evolving, exploratory and/or distributed software systems. The distinction between class-based and prototype-based systems reflects a long-lasting philosophical dispute concerning the representation of abstractions. Class-based languages, such as Smalltalk, C++ and Java, explicitly use classes to represent similarity among collections of objects. Prototype-based systems, such as Self, NewtonScript and Omega, do not rely so much on advance categorization, but rather try to make the concepts in the problem domain as tangible and intuitive as possible. A typical argument in favor of prototypes is that people seem to be much better at dealing with specific examples first, then generalizing from them, than they are at absorbing general abstract principles first and later applying them in particular cases. This book presents the history and development of prototype-based programming and describes a number of prototype-based programming languages and applications. Such range from programs for portable digital appliances, graphical user-interface management systems for desktop and workstations, and cutting edge research on software visualisation and program restructuring. The book will be suitable for advanced software development practitioners, graduate students, and researchers active in the field.

300 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 1999

About the author

James Noble has written five books. His latest thriller, IOU, is look into the lives of seven people who're drawn
into a savage killer's agenda on the shores of Connecticut in 1976. Noble has shot over 50 commercials across
the world and has been nominated for an Emmy Award. When not writing he is delivering lunches for the Dallas Meals on Wheels program (3,699 to date) or he is daily trips driving the homeless for a hot lunch and a shower for May Helping Hands.

James Noble began writing and filming short screenplays in junior high school. In high school. He wrote a full-length screenplay which got him accepted into the prestigious New York University Film School. In 1984, he began a storied career as an advertising Copywriter. He then found himself writing commercials and print campaigns for some of the most influential companies in the world. Disney, Apple, and Kia to name a few. Noble has also has worked with world renowned entertainment talents such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Industrial Light and Magic. He's won numerous awards in just about every advertising show on the planet. In two thousand eighteen he wrote his first book Nine Tana Leaves. Inspired by the warm reception for the book he wrote a sequel in n2018. Noble lives in Texas with his wife Cheryl. He has a daughter, Becca, a son Oliver, and a stepson, Darryl.