Prefixed Procedures: A Structuring Concept For Operations

Abstract

Some features of the SIMULA class concept are adapted to create the concept of prefixed procedures. This extends the notion of procedure type and allows the structuring of similar procedures into a hierarchy. The eflFect of prefixing is twofold: first, common data declarations are added to the prefixed procedure and second, its code is bracketed by the initial and final statements of the prefixing procedure. Prefixed procedures are shown to be a powerful descriptive tool for systems implementation. The feature also leads to shorter, more reliable programs.