Method overloading and overriding cause distribution transparency and encapsulation flaws

Abstract

Based on an experiment using three languages under .NET, this paper argues that the semantic differences between these languages regarding method overloading and overriding give rise to significant complexity and break encapsulation. We first recall the various interpretations of overriding and overloading in object oriented languages through what we call language signatures. Then, we perform an experiment with .NET components coded in different programming languages in order to observe the global behavior. From this, we show that overriding and overloading are not compatible with a key property of components: encapsulation. We conclude that, in the current state of the art, in order to build predictable assemblies, components must expose their internal structure! We propose a solution to this problem. © JOT, 2002.