By Shahabuddin Amerudin
The article titled “What Is Object-Oriented Technology Anyway?” by Berry (1996) explains what object-oriented (OO) technology is and its three basic forms: Object-Oriented User Interfaces (OOUI), Object-Oriented Programming Systems (OOPS), and Object-Oriented Data Base Management (OODBM). The author discusses the differences between these forms and how they relate to GIS (Geographic Information Systems).
The article provides a detailed explanation of OOUIs and how they use “icons” and “glyphs” to launch repetitive procedures. OOUIs are described as graphical user interfaces that make it easier for users to interact with computers by using point-and-click methods. The article also notes that OOUIs have become commonplace with the advent of Windows ’95.
The article then moves on to discuss OOPS and how it uses “widgets” in the development of computer code. The author mentions that Visual Basic and Visual C are examples of object-oriented programming systems. The article notes that OOPS provides an easier way to develop fully structured computer programs.
The article concludes by discussing the importance of the OOPS flowchart in prescriptive modeling. The article notes that as GIS moves from descriptive geo-query applications to prescriptive modeling, the communication of logic becomes increasingly important. The OOPS flowchart provides a mechanism for both communicating and interacting with model logic.
In terms of relevance to current programming technology, the article provides a historical perspective on the development of object-oriented technology. Although some of the specifics may have changed, the basic concepts of OOUIs and OOPS remain relevant today.
OOUIs are still used in modern software development, although they have become more sophisticated over time. For example, modern web applications often use graphical user interfaces to make it easier for users to interact with web pages. Similarly, modern mobile applications often use graphical user interfaces to make it easier for users to interact with their mobile devices.
The article is relevant to current programming technology, particularly with regards to object-oriented programming. Object-oriented programming is still widely used in modern programming languages like Java, Python, and C++. OOUI is still used today in user interface design, and modern operating systems like macOS and Windows continue to use icon-based interfaces. The article’s explanation of OOPS is also relevant to modern programming. Many modern programming environments like Visual Studio and Xcode use visual tools to create software. These environments allow programmers to drag and drop widgets to create code, similar to the flowcharting objects mentioned in the article.
However, the article’s discussion of OODBM is less relevant to modern programming technology. The author notes that OODBM uses objects to manage data in a database. While object-oriented databases still exist, they are not as widely used as relational databases like MySQL and PostgreSQL. The rise of NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Cassandra has also impacted the use of object-oriented databases.
In conclusion, the article “What Is Object-Oriented Technology Anyway?” provides a historical perspective on the development of object-oriented technology. Although the specifics may have changed, the basic concepts of OOUIs and OOPS remain relevant today and the article’s discussion of OODBM provides an interesting historical perspective on the evolution of database management technology. The article serves as a reminder that technology is constantly evolving, and developers must continue to adapt and learn new techniques to stay current.
Reference:
Berry, J.K. (1996). What Is Object-Oriented Technology Anyway? GeoWorld. [Online] Available at: http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/mapanalysis/Topic1/Topic1.htm (Accessed: 28 March 2023).
Suggestion for Citation: Amerudin, S. (2023). Object-Oriented Technology: A Look Back at its Definition and Relevance in Current Programming Technology. [Online] Available at: https://people.utm.my/shahabuddin/?p=6151 (Accessed: 28 March 2023).
