Objectives

This section discusses the additional requirements that must be satisfied for distributed computing. It presents a list of abstraction or transparency requirements and presents an environment for distributed object computing. It also discusses the issues involved in replicating objects and remote object method invocation. Finally, it sketches some of the available network protocols.

Points to emphasize

Hints

A more systematic approach to distributed computing within an object-oriented framework is proposed by the OMG. See section OMG. However, the proposal of the OMG primarily concerns standards. This section is focused on mechanisms.

Question

  1. What are the problems involved in remote object invocation? Characterize the model of dual objects. Do you consider this an adequate solution? Explain.

Comments

It is (still) an open question what contribution object orientation has to offer for distributed computing. An interesting model for distributed computing is presented in  [Orca]. This model may be characterized as only weakly object-based.