Abstract Data Type Development and Implementation: An Example

Data abstraction is an effective tool in the design of complex systems, and the representation independence it provides is a key factor in the maintenance and adaptation of software systems. This paper describes a system development methodology based on the development of hierarchies of abstract data types (ADT's). The methodology preserves a high degree of representation independence throughout both the design and implementation of complex systems. The methodology is illustrated with examples from the design and implementation of a Vision Research Programming System. These examples include ADT specifications, ADT interface specifications, and partial implementation code for the system in two different programming languages, Ada1 and Fortran.