SCOOP structured concurrent object oriented Prolog

Abstract

SCOOP is an experimental language implemented in Prolog that tries to combine the best of logic, object-oriented and concurrent programming in a structured, natural and efficient manner. SCOOP provides hierarchies of object classes. These objects behave as independent Prolog programs with private databases which can execute goals within other objects. SCOOP also supports parallel processes, synchronised by the exchange of messages. For simulation, a sequencing set and primitives concerned with simulated time are provided. Thus, SCOOP has the ability to describe structured dynamic systems and to encode knowledge. The important features of SCOOP are 1) its lexical block structure designed to promote and enforce modularity and to allow verification and optimisation via a compiler, 2) its combination of familiar programming cliches: the concepts of Simula67 for macrostructuring of entities and those of standard Prolog (unification & backtracking) for local behaviour, 3) its provision for parallel activity with a clear distinction between static objects and dynamic processes and 4) its discrete simulation capability.