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A delegation-based object calculus with subtyping

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Fundamentals of Computation Theory (FCT 1995)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 965))

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Abstract

This paper presents an untyped object calculus that reflects the capabilities of so-called delegation-based object-oriented languages. A type inference system allows static detection of errors, such as message not understood, while at the same time allowing the type of an inherited method to be specialized to the type of the inheriting object. The main advance over previous work is the provision for subtyping in the presence of delegation primatives. This is achieved by distinguishing a prototype, whose methods may be extended or replaced, from an object, which only responds to messages for which it already has methods. An advantage of this approach is that we have full subtyping without restricting the “runtime” use of inheritance. Type soundness is proved using operational semantics and an analysis of typing derivations.

Supported in part by an NSF Graduate Fellowship, NSF Grant CCR-9303099, and a Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellowship.

Supported in part by NSF Grant CCR-9303099 and the TRW Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science Department, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA

    Kathleen Fisher & John C. Mitchell

Authors
  1. Kathleen Fisher
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  2. John C. Mitchell
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Editor information

Horst Reichel

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Fisher, K., Mitchell, J.C. (1995). A delegation-based object calculus with subtyping. In: Reichel, H. (eds) Fundamentals of Computation Theory. FCT 1995. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 965. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-60249-6_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-60249-6_40

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-60249-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-44770-2

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