[unrev-II] An Extensibility Architecture

From: Eric Armstrong (eric.armstrong@eng.sun.com)
Date: Fri Mar 17 2000 - 17:15:43 PST

  • Next message: Eric Armstrong: "[unrev-II] Re: An Extensibility Architecture"

    From: Eric Armstrong <eric.armstrong@eng.sun.com>

    I'm seeing two requirements for either dynamic or
    configurable extensibility. (Configurable extensibility
    is sufficient, but dynamic extensibility seems to fall
    out as a consequence.)

      Definitions:
          Dynamic Extensibility
                The ability to change an app "on the the
                fly", while it is execution.

          Configurable Extensibility
                The ability to configure the app so that new
                features and functions are added the next
                time it starts.

    The two requirements I see are:
       a) Class Replacement
       b) Dynamic Messaging

    Class Replacement
    --------------------
    First, it goes without saying that APIs are defined in
    terms of interfaces. So, rather than defining parameters
    using classes, they are defined using interfaces. That lets
    subclasses and different implementations take the place
    of the original object.

    However, at some point, it is necessary to create an
    object. What has to happen at that point is that the
    object is obtained from a factory. The factory, in turn,
    *is configured with the class to use*. In essence, the
    factory is configured with a table of "expected class /
    actual class" pairs. When the factory is asked for an
    instance of the expected class, it returns an instance of
    the actual class -- which is either the expected class or
    a subclass of it.

    That architecture lets you take advantage of existing
    classes when you define an extension. Instead of having
    to satisfy an interface -- and therefore implement every
    behavior, you can subclass the existing class, overriding
    only those behaviors you want to change.

    Dynamic Messaging
    --------------------
    Class replacement is fine for changing behaviors, but what
    about when you add new functions? As long as those
    functions are *only* invoked by methods in the class and
    by objects it creates, class replacement is still sufficient.
    But how often does that restriction hold?

    When you extend an existing class with additional functions,
    you need to extend its interface, as well. But the static
    interfaces satisfied by the factory's actual class, are the
    *expected class* interfaces. As a result, the additional
    functions are "invisible" within the context in which the
    "expected class" instance was obtained.

    The solution I see is to return to "Smalltalkish" messaging.
    In SmallTalk, a "message" was literally that -- a message
    that included the name of the function to invoke, along with
    any arguments.

    In Java, "SmallTalk" messaging can be achieved using
    "reflection" (it's all done with mirrors). The reflection APIs
    give the app a list of methods implemented by a class. That
    means:
       a) All methods other than "msg()" would be protected.
           (They could not be called by other classes, but would
            be overridable in sub classes).
       b) "msg()" would be the only public method.
       c) The first argument to msg() would be a String specifying
           the method to invoke. The second argument would be a
           HashList of type-name/value pairs.
           (Type-name is needed, because the value might be
             a subclass of the type specified in the method signature.)

    With this structure, when expected class A is replaced by A',
    and expected class B is replaced by B', A' can invoke the
    additional methods in A' that were never part of A.

    That is the way I see things working at the moment, at least.
    Does anyone see any other ways to solve the problem?

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