Abstract
We show that many different overriding operators present in programming languages can be expressed, adopting a mixin-based framework, in terms of three basic operators. In particular we propose two orthogonal classifications: strong (the overridden definition is canceled) or weak (the overridden definition still remains significant, as in Smalltalk's super feature), and preferential (priority to one of the two arguments) or general. We formalize the relation between all these versions. Our analysis and results are not bound to a particular language, since they are formulated within an algebraic framework for mixin modules which can be instantiated over different core languages.
This work has been partially supported by Murst 40% — Modelli della computazione e dei linguaggi di programmazione and CNR — Formalismi per la specifica e la descrizione di sistemi ad oggetti.
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Ancona, D., Zucca, E. (1997). Overriding operators in a mixin-based framework. In: Glaser, H., Hartel, P., Kuchen, H. (eds) Programming Languages: Implementations, Logics, and Programs. PLILP 1997. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 1292. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0033836
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0033836
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