A Monolithic Program vs. Modifiability: Enhancing a Visual Data Flow Program with Object-Oriented Techniques

In this paper, we discuss how object-oriented techniques, such as, data encapsulation and inheritance can enhance modifiability and maintainability of a system that is implemented with a visual data flow programming language (VDFL). The paper is written in the light of our recent research on automated documentation system. A visual data flow program can easily suffer from monolithic program structure. A concept of monolithic program is an opposite to the modularity. Modularity is a well-known approach for improving modifiability and maintainability of systems. Another problem appears when modifying the program code. For example, when adding or removing a program part, several modifications have to be done to other places on the program as well. As a result, the object-oriented techniques can reduce the latter problem but they can not reduce the risk of monolithic program structure.