[program-java] Re: Let me introduce myself
- From: Steve Meacham <program-java@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: program-java@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2010 12:05:52 -0500
For me, learning OO was an epiphany. For the longest time, I thought it was
the "emperor's new clothes." I had procedures, functions, arrays, and
structures. I had all I needed and could program anything using those
tools. With discipline, I could still achieve abstraction, modularity, and
encapsulation in other languages like C and COBOL.
Then, one day, I finally "got it." OO languages actually encourage
abstraction, modularity, and encapsulation. Non-OO languages don't. But,
non-OO languages generally DIS-courage polymorphism and inheritance (You can
do those in COBOL, if you're clever, a fast typist, and have intimate
knowledge of sub-programs, linkage sections, and level-88's. Let's see how
long it lasts, and what happens during code review when your peers see you
using CALL with a name you looked up from an array.)
Truth is, though, OO isn't very well suited to the typical enterprise
business application. It tends to be very verbose. It forces you to
organize your code in certain ways that are often over-kill for basic
screens, reports, calculations, mailings, and such. At least, the first
time.
However, those things we often ignore when programming in non-OO languages
like COBOL - abstraction, modularity, encapsulation, become more and more
valuable over time as an application grows and changes (if used properly,
and they often aren't). Polymorphism and inheritance are particularly
useful to make extensible code from the start, and to eliminate most
duplicate code.
Once you have your epiphany moment, you'll find it difficult to program in
languages that don't support these things, like COBOL. Your mind will reach
out for an Object, or a method, or a sub-class, or whatever, and it won't be
there. It'll feel like hammering a screw or changing spark-plugs with
pliers. At least it does to me.
Good luck!
Steve
On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 11:27 AM, Corbett, James <James.Corbett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> wrote:
> Jim H:
>
> OO isn't all that bad. I came from a similar background and the experienced
> that you gained with Object Aware classes can be fit into the OO with a
> little hammering.
>
> J.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
> program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Homme, James
> Sent: September 3, 2010 12:10
> To: program-java@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [program-java] Re: Let me introduce myself
>
> Hi Steve,
>
> Welcome. I'm just getting started down this road. If you're close enough,
> may I ride on your back for a few steps? This Object Orientation thing is
> probably my biggest fear. Like Suzie, I know Cobol best. After my Cobol
> life, I learned Lotus Notes formula and LotusScript, which is very much like
> VBScript, but it kind of uses objects and classes, and I've also learned
> HTML very well along with a little of a lot of stuff. So welcome and thanks
> for joining.
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> Jim Homme,
>
> Usability Services,
>
> Phone: 412-544-1810. Skype: jim.homme
>
> Internal recipients, Read my accessibility blog <
> http://mysites.highmark.com/personal/lidikki/Blog/default.aspx> . Discuss
> accessibility here <
> http://collaborate.highmark.com/COP/technical/accessibility/default.aspx>
> . Accessibility Wiki: Breaking news and accessibility advice <
> http://collaborate.highmark.com/COP/technical/accessibility/Accessibility%20Wiki/Forms/AllPages.aspx
> >
>
>
>
> From: program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
> program-java-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Meacham
> Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 11:32 AM
> To: program-java@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [program-java] Let me introduce myself
>
>
>
> My name is Steve Meacham. I am Susie Stanzel's co-worker, java teacher,
> and friend. I've been a programmer since 1982, and a Java programmer since
> 1999. I also have a passion for web accessibility and usability, mainly
> because it's the Right Thing and the Best Practice.
>
> As Susie says, I also have a vested interest - I have been blind in one eye
> with moderately poor vision in the other eye since birth. Now I have MS
> also, which affects my vision to varying degrees every day, and may leave me
> completely blind some day.
>
> I hope that this qualifies me to join your group and contribute what I know
> about programming in Java and about accessibility issues.
>
> Steve Meacham
>
> +1 (202) 455-8732
> +<https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton?id=230865b4d1927
> +0e76c79c4ec6344ae302ccf1b69<https://clients4.google.com/voice/embed/webCallButton?id=230865b4d1927%0A+0e76c79c4ec6344ae302ccf1b69>
> >
>
> routes all calls and text messages to me
>
>
>
>
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