Core difference between object oriented and object based language

JavaScript is a prototype-oriented language. It can build actual objects from a constructor function and it has almost any feature that any object could have: Constructor. Methods (i.e. functions in JavaScript). Properties (since ECMA-Script 5, “getters/setters”). Instances. In JavaScript, any object has a prototype, including functions. The prototype itself is a rudimentary way of adding … Read more

How can I make doxygen create full inheritance diagrams across multiple projects?

Here’s a comprehensive guide detailing how you can use Doxygen to create full inheritance diagrams that cross-reference multiple projects. This is made possible by leveraging Doxygen’s tag files. Steps in Detail Generate Doxygen Tag Files for Each Project: Tag files are a kind of metadata that Doxygen uses to create links between different sets of … Read more

Where and how is the term used “wrapper” used in programming, and what does it help to do?

The term ‘wrapper’ gets thrown around a lot. Generally its used to describe a class which contains an instance of another class, but which does not directly expose that instance. The wrapper’s main purpose is to provide a ‘different’ way to use wrapped object (perhaps the wrapper provides a simpler interface, or adds some functionality). … Read more

Why should I avoid multiple inheritance?

Multiple inheritance (abbreviated as MI) smells, which means that usually, it was done for bad reasons, and it will blow back in the face of the maintainer. Summary Consider composition of features, instead of inheritance Be wary of the Diamond of Dread Consider inheritance of multiple interfaces instead of objects Sometimes, Multiple Inheritance is the … Read more

Should I use “public” attributes or “public” properties in Python?

Typically, Python code strives to adhere to the Uniform Access Principle. Specifically, the accepted approach is: Expose your instance variables directly, allowing, for instance, foo.x = 0, not foo.set_x(0) If you need to wrap the accesses inside methods, for whatever reason, use @property, which preserves the access semantics. That is, foo.x = 0 now invokes … Read more

How to separate a class and its member functions into header and source files

The class declaration goes into the header file. It is important that you add the #ifndef include guards. Most compilers now also support #pragma once. Also I have omitted the private, by default C++ class members are private. // A2DD.h #ifndef A2DD_H #define A2DD_H class A2DD { int gx; int gy; public: A2DD(int x,int y); … Read more