Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

This report presents a paradigm for object-oriented implementations of flight simulators. It is a result of work on the Ada Simulator Validation Program (ASVP) carried out by members of the technical staff at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Object-oriented design predominates discussions about Ada-based software engineering. The identification of objects and implementation of objects are two separate issues. This paradigm is a model for implementing systems of objects. The objects are described in a form of specification called an object dependency diagram. The paradigm is not about how to create the specification. Although much has been written on object-oriented design, SEI project members could find no examples of object-oriented implementations relevant to flight simulators. Examples were required for two reasons. First, object-orientation was new to both of the contractors on the ASVP. A methodology which leads to a specification of objects is useful only if developers know how to implement what is specified. Second, managers were skeptical about the benefits of object-oriented design. Examples were needed to determine whether benefits outweight costs.