Data abstraction: A static implementation strategy

Abstract

A description of the implementation of the data abstraction mechanism for the Model programming language is discussed. The Model programming language utilizes a “static” approach to data abstraction in that abstract concepts are expanded by early phases of the compiler in a controlled fashion into base language concepts. Thus, the final phase of the compiler sees only base language constructions. Exemplified are generic procedures accepting parameters of several different data types. A discussion is given of the problem of “parameter explosion”, a problem traditionally inherent in languages implementing open (inline) procedures.