(Second try) Query: other ways to implement encapsulated objects

(Second try) Query: other ways to implement encapsulated objects

[larry]

> Could you please send posts about C++ [to C++ groups] ...
Quite right; long msgs on other languages should go elsewhere.  But it is 
proper to point out that some of the most important features of Ada--those 
supporting SW engineering--are being added to other languages used for 
production (not experimental) programming.  The proposed ForTran 88 includes 
several additions that could have been inspired by Ada.
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I've been wondering how many different ways in Ada there are to implement 
encapsulated objects.  One alternative to the "standard" way is use records
containing tasks or (if the Ada standard is extended) subprograms: 

	type BOATS is record
		COLOR: ... ;
		LATITUDE: ... ;
		LONGITUDE: ... ;
		DIRECTION: ... ;
		Drive: Task_type_Move;
		Paint: Subprogram_type_Color;
	end record;

	BOAT: array (MINE..YOURS) of BOATS;

	begin		--All BOATS are launched when tasks are activated?

	--Does each reference to data items BOAT( MINE ) through BOAT( YOURS ) 
	--also perform an action?

Are there any benefits of this approach that would outweigh the problems? 

                                   Larry @ jpl-vlsi.arpa