Connotational Subtyping and Runtime Class Mutability in Ruby

<p>Connotational subtyping is an approach to typing that allows an object's type to change dynamically, following changes to the object's internal state. This allows for a more precise representation of a problem domain with logical objects that have variable behavior. Two approaches to supporting connotational subtyping in the Ruby programming language were implemented: a language-level implementation using pure Ruby and a modification to the Ruby 1.8.7 interpreter. While neither implementation was wholly successful the language level implementation created complications with reflective language features like <b>self</b> and <b>super</b> and, while Ruby 1.8.7 has been obsoleted by Ruby 1.9 (YARV), the results suggest that Chambers-style, predicate-based runtime type inference could be incorporated into Ruby with only some reduced interpreter performance.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer and Information Science

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Dillon, Ian S

• type systems
• ruby
• class mutability
• Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Theory and Algorithms

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1497

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2690