ORGANIZATIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING

This article demonstrates that object-oriented programming (OOP) syste ms are in fact part of a larger class of technical systems, which are structured along ''holonic'' organizational lines. The properties of h olonic organizational architecture are brought out and applied to the description of OOP systems. This brings out the fundamental organizati onal features of OOP systems, abstracting them from other issues to do with standardization, replication, or costs, and enables a clearer un derstanding of the sources of their efficiency with respect to traditi onal, functionally structured programs. Finally, the use of the holoni c paradigm as a design tool is illustrated, with a view to further dev eloping the organizational clarity and effectiveness of OOP systems.