Concurrent object-oriented programming techniques in a term graph rewriting framework

Abstract

The relationship between the generalised computational model of Term Graph Rewriting (TGRS) and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is explored and exploited by extending the TGRS model with records where access to parameters is done by naming rather than position. Records are then used as the basis for expressing object-oriented techniques such as delegation and (various forms of) inheritance. The effect is that TGRS with records can now he used as an implementation model for a variety of (concurrent) object-oriented (functional, logic or otherwise) languages but also as a common formalism for comparing various related techniques (such as different forms of inheritance).