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Object-oriented programming systems, languages, and applications
Paepcke A.  Object-oriented programming systems, languages, and applications,Phoenix, AZ,Oct 6-Oct 11, 1991,1991.Type:Whole Proceedings
Date Reviewed: Oct 1 1992

Proceedings are never like being there, especially in rapidly changing areas such as object technology. For example, these OOPSLA proceedings do not contain the text of the well-received keynote speech by John Tibbetts of Kinexis, “Object Orientation and Transaction Processing: Where Do They Meet?” This omission is tantalizing, but I will evaluate the proceedings on their own terms for those who could not attend the OOPSLA conference in Phoenix in October 1991.

The subtitle of the conference might have been “moving from the lab into the world.” This theme is apparent in the mix of papers reproduced in the proceedings. For example, “The Kala Basket: A Semantic Primitive Unifying Object Transactions, Access Control, Versions, and Configurations,” by Simmel and Godard, might not be what MIS managers would first turn to. It turns out to be a useful, if complicated, look at an interesting ANSI C implementation of an interesting concept in object-based systems. It claims to implement many of the object services of the reference model provided by the Object Management Group. This last assertion is itself an indication of the growing maturity of object technology and the accompanying growing importance of standards.

The proceedings also include archetypal academic papers, exemplified by “Communications as Fair Distribution of Knowledge,” by Andreoli and Pareschi. They present a computational model called “forum-based communication” as part of a computational model for the language LO. Having a self-described “toy interpreter for the language, written in Prolog” makes for an interesting research project if one can slog through the incomprehensible exposition and mathematical formulae. But the mix of dreamers and realists is what makes some conferences exciting.

For those looking for practical applications, some experience papers are present in the proceedings; they are especially useful for the names of authors you might want to contact directly for more information. In fact, the best information was to be had in some of the panel sessions. Most conference proceedings include no more than a list of participants in panel sessions. Fortunately, this volume goes a bit further. If available, summary statements submitted by each panelist are included. These statements are almost uniformly thought-provoking if not mouth-watering. Almost all of them are cause for reflection. Frequently I wanted footnotes and some data to support the statements, which I can only assume may have been presented during the panels. Again, the reader is given contact information for further research.

Overall, conference proceedings tend to represent the flux of the event, minus some of the personal give-and-take. In this respect, the OOPSLA proceedings are no different. Applications-oriented managers in industry will be disappointed. These proceedings will be of most use to the academic who seeks to introduce object concepts and technologies into upper-level and graduate courses.

Reviewer:  David Bellin Review #: CR115964
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