The purpose of this book is to “give the reader a basic understanding of the main concepts of popular object-oriented systems: languages, databases, and user interfaces.” The book consists of ten chapters and an appendix, which provide a summary of object-oriented systems, products, and standards. The chapters are “Introduction,” “Abstract Data Types,” “Inheritance,” “Object Identity,” “Object-Oriented Analysis and Design,” “Overview of Object-Oriented Languages,” “C++,” “Object-Oriented Databases,” “User Interfaces,” and “Standards in Object-Orientation.” The first few chapters explain concepts, including some advanced concepts, such as metaclasses, pre- and post-conditions, function mapping, multiple inheritance, delegation, and object identity. These concepts are demonstrated with examples in several languages, such as Smalltalk, C++, and Actor.

In general, these chapters are clear and well written. However, the use of different languages to demonstrate related concepts sometimes makes the material difficult to follow. For example, the concept of delegation is discussed using Smalltalk, but its implementation is demonstrated using Actor, making it difficult to move from one example to the next. The discussion of analysis and design, databases, user interfaces, and standards is clear, but necessarily short and incomplete; each of these topics is broad enough to serve as the basis of an entire book. For example, the object-oriented analysis and design chapter briefly surveys Booch, Rumbaugh, and Shlaer and Mellor methods. The chapter only outlines the basic concepts, diagramming methods, and notations for each method, but does not discuss detailed modeling components or the process of the methods. For example, the “use” relationship, which is widely applied in Booch’s method, is not covered. Similarly, the chapter on object-oriented databases covers query languages, locking, and versioning, but does not cover query processing, physical storage, indexing, or clustering. The chapter on user interfaces is clear and informative. The chapter on standards briefly covers CORBA, OLE2, OpenDoc, and ODMG93.

In short, the book achieves its goal of providing a good introduction for readers who want a broad overview of object-oriented concepts and technologies. Readers who want a deeper understanding of C++, object-oriented analysis and design, databases, user interfaces, and standards should look to books devoted to these topics.