Improving Polymorphism in Common Object Models

Abstract

Most common object models of distributed object systems lack support for 'polymorphism' (an abstraction mechanism that represents a quality or state of being able to assume different forms). This lack of support restricts the development of new components and limits reuse of existing components that use these advanced features. In this paper, the Interoperable Common Object Model (ICOM), which focuses on a subset of object-oriented languages, specifically statically typed languages, is presented. The ICOM model is an attempt to elevate common object models closer to the object models of statically typed object-oriented languages by including support for polymorphism. Specific features of the ICOM object model include: remote inheritance, method overloading, and parameterized types.