CSC/ECE 517 Fall 2010/ch1 4e dj

Page Stub for Dzoba and Jeremy for Prototype-based programming

Introduction

Prototype based programming is centered around the idea of developing object oriented code by developing functionality at the object level, and then abstracting the code into prototypes. This allows the programmer the ability to develop objects without the overhead of determining class relations, associations, and requirements.

Prototypes vs. classes

A class is a definition of an objects behavior and data fields. This definition generally does not change throughout the execution of the code.

A prototype is an object that is to be used as a basis for developing another object. New objects are created by first cloning the existing object, and then adding functionality. This is usually accomplished in languages that allow object's functionality to be changed at run time.

http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?PrototypeBasedProgramming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prototype-based_programming