Object Mentor Blog: Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?

Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?

Dean Wampler — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:45:00 -0500

I never expected to see this. When I started my career, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) was going mainstream. For many problems, it was and still is a natural way to modularize an application. It grew to (mostly) rule the world. Now it seems that the supremacy of objects may be coming to an end, of sorts.

I say this because of recent trends in our industry and my hands-on experience with many enterprise and Internet applications, mostly at client sites. You might be thinking that I’m referring to the mainstream breakout of Functional Programming (FP), which is happening right now. The killer app for FP is concurrency. We’ve all heard that more and more applications must be concurrent these days (which doesn’t necessarily mean multithreaded). When we remove side effects from functions and disallow mutable variables, our concurrency issues largely go away. The success of the Actor model of concurrency, as used to great effect in Erlang, is one example of a functional-style approach. The rise of map-reduce computations is another example of a functional technique going mainstream. A related phenomenon is the emergence of key-value store databases, like BigTable and CouchDB, is a reaction to the overhead of SQL databases, when the performance cost of the Relational Model isn’t justified. These databases are typically managed with functional techniques, like map-reduce.

But actually, I’m thinking of something else. Hybrid languages like Scala, F#, and OCaml have demonstrated that OOP and FP can complement each other. In a given context, they let you use the idioms that make the most sense for your particular needs. For example, immutable “objects” and functional-style pattern matching is a killer combination.

What’s really got me thinking that objects are losing their supremacy is a very mundane problem. It’s a problem that isn’t new, but like concurrency, it just seems to grow worse and worse.

The problem is that there is never a stable, clear object model in applications any more. What constitutes a BankAccount or Customer or whatever is fluid. It changes with each iteration. It’s different from one subsystem to another even within the same iteration! I see a lot of misfit object models that try to be all things to all people, so they are bloated and the teams that own them can’t be agile. The other extreme is “balkanization”, where each subsystem has its own model. We tend to think the latter case is bad. However, is lean and mean, but non-standard, worse than bloated, yet standardized?

The fact is, for a lot of these applications, it’s just data. The ceremony of object wrappers doesn’t carry its weight. Just put the data in a hash map (or a list if you don’t need the bits “labeled”) and then process the collection with your iterate, map, and reduce functions. This may sound heretical, but how much Java code could you delete today if you replaced it with a stored procedure?

These alternatives won’t work for all situations, of course. Sometimes polymorphism carries its weight. Unfortunately, it’s too tempting to use objects as if more is always better, like cow bell.

So what would replace objects for supremacy? Well, my point is really that there is no one true way. We’ve led ourselves down the wrong path. Or, to be more precise, we followed a single, very good path, but we didn’t know when to take a different path.

Increasingly, the best, most nimble designs I see use objects with a light touch; shallow hierarchies, small objects that try to obey the Single Responsibility Principle, composition rather than inheritance, etc. Coupled with a liberal use of functional idioms (like iterate, map, and reduce), these designs strike the right balance between the protection of data hiding vs. openness for easy processing. By the way, you can build these designs in almost any of our popular languages. Some languages make this easier than others, of course.

Despite the hype, I think Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) are also very important and worth mentioning in this context. (Language-Oriented Programming – LOP – generalizes these ideas). It’s true that people drink the DSL Kool-Aid and create a mess. However, when used appropriately, DSLs reduce a program to its essential complexity, while hiding and modularizing the accidental complexity of the implementation. When it becomes easy to write a user story in code, we won’t obsess as much over the details of a BankAccount as they change from one story to another. We will embrace more flexible data persistence models, too.

Back to OOP and FP, I see the potential for their combination to lead to a rebirth of the old vision of software components, but that’s a topic for another blog post.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Straight Valve

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:45:52 -0600

Straight Valve

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Rosuvastatin Heart Failures

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:02:42 -0600

Absolutely great topic, thanks so much for this.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by san antonio cosmetic dentists

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:08:38 -0600

I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. I think it may be help all of you. Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty blog with me. I am appreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great blog. Good luck to the author! all the best!

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by houston dentist

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:58:24 -0600

Considerably, this post is really the sweetest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your tongue.conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your incoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable work and much success in your business dealings! Please excuse my poor English as it is not my first .

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Forfait mobile

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:38:56 -0600

Engagement buy cartier love bracelets is very auspicious and all of us want this moment to be highly memorable and unforgettable.For this purpose,one has to buy highly attractive cartier love necklaces of her choice.Since,many couples prefer to go to buy the cartier diamond necklace online store for gifting the same on the day of engagement so buying rings of her choice is not difficult but both have to look budget which usually create confusion.Sometimes you choose the cartier but that does not fit in your budget so while see ring you must the ring of your budget.So during choosing diamond engagement rings for your beloved must look at every aspect of cartier rings.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by digital led displays

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:04:11 -0600

No. I really think the supremacy of object oriented programming era is not over.But I really love your thought and way of sharing.Really nice content with great explanation.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by e1dorado

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:33:54 -0600

“I will eat a week’s pay if OOP is still in vogue in 2015”, from: http://reocities.com/tablizer/oopbad.htm . That dude was right. About 5 years ago I said he’s a complete idiot.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by tv show

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:59:32 -0600

thanks a lot. as always great stuff!

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Louis Vuitton bags on sale

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:46:05 -0600

Hopefully with the tips above, you would not go wrong in choosing the authentic . Well, as one of the most professional online supplier, PandaHall providing you with plenty choices allow you to design and wear a unique piece of Pandora jewelry to expresses your style and image.Louis Vuitton bags on sale charming Louis Vuitton wallet Louis Vuitton Women Handbags Louis Vuitton Women Wallets Louis Vuitton Wallets for wallts

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by tissot gents watches

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:45:47 -0600

Thank you for sharing this post.Now i introduct our website to you, and in this website you can find some very good watches .tissot gents watches tissot ladies watches tissot alarm watches Tissot Gents Strap Watches Tissot Chronograph Watches Tissot Ladies Classic Watches Tissot Ladies Fashion Watches Tissot Alarm Watches Tissot Diamond Watches Tissot Divers Watches

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Thomas Sabo jewerly

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:23:38 -0600

make sure you are purchasing the genuine thing. Always go to a trusted jewelry and if you are buying online please check the track history of the company first. Always check at a genuine Thomas Sabo jewerly store locator for Thomas Sabo Bracelets Thomas Sabo Earrings Thomas Sabo Necklaces Thomas Sabo Asia Thomas Sabo Birthstones Thomas Sabo Disney

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by replica cartier love bangles in 14karats gold

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:02:44 -0600

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Cheap Beats By Dre

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:41:48 -0600

bus today, make them Cheap Beats By Dremiserable. One said: “I ??am really unlucky it! I was packed Beats By Dre Studioin the car to flow production.” One said: “I ??called Beats By Dre Soloit bad luck! In I was packed car are pregnant.Beats By Dre Pro Classic joke: I TVU A university studentbeats by dr dre caught by the enemy, the enemy tied him at the poles,just beats solo headphones purple and then asked him: say, where are you? You do not say it electrocuted! Scheap dr.dre beats studio headphones balck/yellowtudents back to the enemy a word, the result was electrocuted, he said: I am TVU.Hot sale beats by dr dre pro headphones

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Austin Computer Repair

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:37:57 -0600

Yeah, I agree with this. OOP seems to be facing its end, but it should not be like that. It was mainstream, it needed to be preserved, who knows which knowledge can help us

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Austin Computer Repair

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:35:42 -0600

Yeah, I agree with this. OOP seems to be facing its end, but it should not be like that. It was mainstream, it needed to be preserved, who knows which knowledge can help us

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by cartier replica necklaces

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:36:06 -0500

If we want to reduce opioid addiction, it might help to try to figure out why so many peoplecartier replica necklaces feel the need to escape. And if we want to reduce opioid overdose, it might make sense to distribute the antidote, naloxone (Narcan), with prescriptions and make it available over the counter. Unlike efforts to restrict prescribing, this won’t hamper appropriate pain care, and unlike rhetoric about epidemics cartier replica necklacesand associated crackdowns on supply, there’s actually a growing body of literature suggesting that Narcan saves lives.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by www.crafts-work.com

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:02:42 -0500

Wow~hard to say

Porcelain Candy Plate Flower Design

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Designstoria

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:22:44 -0500

So do I.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Pandora jewelry on sale

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:41:46 -0500

We have now entered a new year, which means a new year Pandora jewelry on sale full of fresh fashions, styles and colours. Trying to staying ahead of trends and styles always helps when designing jewellery pieces.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Trottinette électrique

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:40:54 -0500

Thanks !

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Ashley Bowling

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:35:02 -0500

While there’s life there’s hope

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by entrepreneur ideas

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:03:56 -0500

Thanks for sharing this great article! That is very interesting I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this.

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by webmarketing nantes

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:26:24 -0500

Really interisting post and i think it is directly linked with webmakerting in Nantes city !

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by Tungsten Rings for men

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:15:16 -0500

Excellent post. I merely came across your site and wished to say that I have really loved reading through your blog posts. Any ways I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I hope you post again soon. Tungsten Rings for men

"Is the Supremacy of Object-Oriented Programming Over?" by http://www.opticienonline.com/lunettes de soleil

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:39:07 -0500

C’est très intéressent. Je vais suivre votre blog.