Fixing Classification: A Viewpoint-Based Approach

The concept of classification as realized in most traditional object-oriented computer languages has certain limitations that may inhibit its application to modeling more complex phenomena. This is likely to prove problematic as modern software becomes increasingly more integrated with the highly dynamic physical world. In this paper, we first provide a detailed description of these limitations, followed by an outline of a novel approach to classification designed to overcome them. The proposed approach replaces the static multiple-inheritance hierarchy approach found in many object-oriented languages with multiple dynamic class hierarchies each based on different classification criteria. Furthermore, to better deal with ambiguous classification schemes, it supports potentially overlapping class membership within any given scheme. Also included is a brief overview of how this approach could be realized in the design of advanced computer languages.