Book Excerpts:

This book is aimed at students and programmers who wish to learn the object-oriented language Ada 95. The book illustrates the language by showing how programs can be written using an object-oriented approach. The book treats Ada 95 as a language in its own right and not just as an extension to Ada 83.

The first chapter provides an introduction to problem solving using an object-oriented design methodology. The methodology illustrated in this introductory chapter is based on UML.

The next three chapters concentrate on the basic constructs in the Ada 95 language. In particular the use of types and subtypes is encouraged. By using types and subtypes in a program the compiler can help spot many errors and inconsistencies at compile-time rather than run-time.

The book then moves on to discuss the object-oriented features of the language, using numerous examples to illustrate the ideas of encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism. A detailed case study of the design and implementation of a program using an object-oriented design methodology is included.

An introduction to the tasking features of Ada is included. Finally a text user interface API is developed to illustrate in a practical way the use of object-oriented components in a program. Several programs that use this interface are shown to illustrate the processes involved.

Exercises and self assessment questions are suggested for the reader at the end of each chapter to allow the reader to practise the use of the Ada components illustrated and to help reinforce, the reader's understanding of the material in the chapter. Answers to many of the practical exercises are given at the end of the book.