The Theory of Classification, Part 10: Method Combination and Super-Reference.

Abstract

The object-oriented theory of classification is analyzed, using models of inheritance with method combination. The method combination strategies using inheritance were found to be equivalent to replacement method. The method combination is achieved by Smalltalk and Java languages and the pseudo-variable in these languages allows a programmer to invoke an inherited version of a method inside the redefined version of same method. The method also provided the pseudo-variable super with two semantic interpretations. The original renaming operator to account for Eiffel's behaviour is also proposed.