UNIVERSIDADE TÉCNICA DE LISBOA INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO Concurrent Object-Oriented Programming: Separation and Composition of Concerns using Design Patterns, Pattern Languages, and Object-Oriented Frameworks

The development of concurrent object-oriented programs, from a software engineering perspective, must possess a set of features to allow control of its inherent complexities, such as non-determinism. This dissertation contributes the definition of an approach for constructing concurrent object-oriented programs. The approach is rooted in a divide-and-conquer strategy, in which functional and non-functional concerns of concurrent programs are treated separately. The approach defines design patterns for three non-functional concerns: Concurrent Object, Synchronized Object, and Recoverable Object. It also defines composition patterns for combining the concerns: Concurrent Synchronized Object, Synchronized Recoverable Object, and Concurrent Synchronized Recoverable Object. The design patterns and their compositions are integrated in an incremental development process for concurrent programs, which is described by a pattern language. The introduction of non-determinism in the development process is delayed so as to facilitate testing and debugging of programs. The design patterns and their compositions are implemented by an object-oriented framework. The framework’s architecture is organized in three layers dealing with concerns separation. This architecture simplifies customization and use by the end programmer.