STRATEGIES IN OBJECT-ORIENTED DESIGN

This paper presents a study aiming to analyse the design strategies of experts in object-oriented programming. We report an experiment condu cted with four experts. Each subject solved three problems. Our result s show that three strategies may be used in program design according t o the solution structure. An object-centred strategy and a function-ce ntred strategy are used when the solution has a hierarchical structure with vertical communication between objects. In this case, the plan w hich guides the design activity is declarative. A procedure-centred st rategy is used when the solution has a flat structure with horizontal communication between objects. in this case, the plan which guides the design activity is procedural. These results are discussed in relatio n with results on design strategies in procedural design. Furthermore, our results provide insight into the knowledge structures of experts in object-oriented design. To conclude, we point out limitations of th is study and discuss implications of our results for Human-Computer In teraction systems, in particular for systems assisting experts in thei r design activity.