Re: Separate Compilation in Programming Languages

[Jean-Pierre Rosen <rosen@adalog.fr>]

adaworks@sbcglobal.net a �crit :
> What
> is your view of Ada-style separate compilation when compared to that in other 
> languages?
> Do you find it useful in your own practice?

I think that the most useful feature is separate compilation of specs 
and bodies.

When designing a module (a body), you can design the specifications of 
the modules that you will need to implement it (what I call an 
abstraction layer). Then you can compile your body against these 
specifications, and make sure you specs serve the intended purpose 
/before/ any implementation effort. You can even provide body stubs, and 
prototype your abstraction layer.

With Ada's separate compilation features, you do not only design 
top-down, you can also code top-down.
-- 
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            J-P. Rosen (rosen@adalog.fr)
Visit Adalog's web site at http://www.adalog.fr