Objects and the Internet

Object Oriented Programming has many benefits, the primary of which is object re-use.ⁱ Object reuse is the primary reason application programming languages such as Java and C/C++ dominate the web and platform development industry. Object reuse allows the evolution of data-structures and forms in a manner as to reduce the overall time required and increase the reliability of a given application whilst compartmentalizing and simplifying the development process, this in turn reduces development costs allowing businesses to achieve quantifiable results faster.

The Document Object Model (DOM)ⁱⁱ, is a language neutral interface that allows Javascript, XHTML and DHTML to function in a uniform manner regardless of platform or hosting infrastructure; they are expected to play well together anywhere.

The great possibilities for Java-script objects are those that have been developed and used by companies such as Amazon, they awarded a famous patent for “1-click” purchases.ⁱⁱⁱ This 1-click patent and process relies heavily on OOP based ideas such as data-structures using javascript and server side objects. The 1-click method is also a very competitive trade secret currently licensed to Apple by amazon for use in iTunes.

The possibilities for object use within XHTML, XML and CSS, using the DOM and DHTML as standards are endless; AJAX automates the functions of form filling, object re-use and most importantly browser object and content manipulation^iv. Thus the user experience may be improved and greater efficiencies may be realized by reducing the number of keystrokes required to make an on-line purchase.

Newer languages and platforms such as Ruby on Rails utilize AJAX to reduce the required time to deliver a web application from a few weeks to a few minutes.^v The best example of this is google's Maps, this web-application is based soley on AJAX and Object-oriented concepts implemented in the browser accessing data in the cloud.

The possibilities for Objects on the Internet are endless; they will always be used in the manner in which they were designed, and will replicate and resemble their respective grand parents from OOP based langugates such as C/C++, JAVA and others. The difference is that they will facilitate the decentralization of processing requirements and the adoption of the use of remote computing resources via the ever present web browser by acting as the agent of communications for distributed applications.

iManish Vachharajani; Neil Vachharajani; David I. August; (Princeton University, 2003) A Comparison of Reuse in Object-oriented Programming and Structural Modeling Systems [Online] PDF Document, Available from: iberty.princeton.edu/Publications/tech03-01_oop.pdf (Accessed on November 18^th 2010)

iiN.A. (W3C, January 19^th 2005) The Document Object Model [Online] World Wide Web, Available from: http://www.w3.org/DOM/ (Accessed on November 18^th 2010)

iiiHutcheon, Steven; (Sidney Morning Herald, May 23^rd 2006) Kiwi Actor vs Amazon.com [Online] World Wide Web, Available from: http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/kiwi-actor-v-amazoncom/2006/05/23/1148150224714.html (Accessed on November 18^th 2010)

ivGarrett, Jesse James; (Adaptive Path, February 18^th 2005) Ajax a new approach to web applications [Online] World Wide Web, Avaialble from: http://www.adaptivepath.com/ideas/essays/archives/000385.php (Accessed on November 18^th 2010)

vHibbs, Curt; (O'REILLY; Onlamp.com, June 9^th 2005) Ajax on Rails [Online] World Wide Web, Available from: http://onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2005/06/09/rails_ajax.html (Accessed on November 18^th 2010)