Implementing design patterns as parametric aspects using ParaAJ: The case of the singleton, observer, and decorator design patterns. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aljasser, Khalid
• Is Part Of: Computer languages, systems & structures. Volume 45(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Design patterns -- Reusability -- Parametric aspects -- ParaAJ; Programming languages (Electronic computers) -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Computer architecture -- Periodicals; Computer systems -- Periodicals; Langage de programmation; Réseau d'ordinateurs; Architecture d'ordinateur; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 005.13
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cl.2015.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8424

Abstract

Abstract: Implementation of a design pattern can take many forms according to the programming language being used. Most of the literature presents design patterns in their conventional object-oriented implementations. Several other studies show the implementation in aspect-oriented languages such asAspectJ, EOS, andCaesar . In this work, we compare the implementation of three design patterns: singleton, observer, and decorator design patterns in these languages and also discuss the possibility of implementing them inParaAJ : an extension to theAspectJ language that implements the idea of parametric aspects. We found thatParaAJ helps in making the implementation of the singleton and observer patterns reusable but it fails to help in the decorator case. The problem with the decorator pattern exists because of the current translation mechanism ofParaAJ ׳s aspects to normalAspectJ ׳s aspects. This opens the door for further work inParaAJ to better support the idea of parametric aspects. Abstract : Highlights: Implementation of design patterns depends on the language being used. ParaAJ helps in creating reusable aspects. Some design patterns can be implemented as reusable aspects inParaAJ . ParaAJ simplifies the reuse of design patterns to a single line of code.