Fickle: Dynamic Object Re-classification
Sophia Drossopoulou, Ferruccio Damiani, Mariangiola Dezani-Ciancaglini and Paola Giannini
Abstract
Re-classification changes at run-time the class membership of an object while retaining its identity. We suggest language features for object
re-classification, which could extend an imperative, typed, classbased, object-oriented language.
We present our proposal through the language Fickle. The imperative features combined with the requirement for a static and safe type system provided the main challenges. We
develop a type and effect system for Fickle and prove its soundness with respect to the operational semantics. In particular, even though objects may be re-classified
across classes with different members, they will never attempt to access non-existing members.
This research was supported in part by MURST Cofin’ 99 TOSCA Project, CNRGNSAGA, and the EPSRC (Grant Ref GR/L 76709).
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