Family Genericity

Resumé

Type abstraction in object-oriented languages embody two techniques, each with its own strenghts and weaknesses. The first technique is extension, yielding abstraction mechanisms with good support for gradual specification.
The prime example is inheritance. The second technique is functional abstraction, yielding more precise knowledge about the outcome. The prime example is type parameterized classes. This paper argues that these techniques should be
clearly separated to work optimally, and also that current languages fail to do this.We have applied this design philosophy to a language based on an extension mechanism, namely virtual classes. As a result, some elements based on functional abstraction have been introduced, but they are simple and only used for things where they excel; conversely, the virtual classes have become more flexible, because their role is now more well-defined.We designate the result as family genericity. The presented language design has been implemented.