Objectives

This section presents a detailed comparison of the languages Smalltalk, Eiffel and C++. This comparison includes class libraries, programming environments and language characteristics.

Points to emphasize

Hints

You may discuss the interrelatedness of the various language characteristics by which the Smalltalk, Eiffel and C++ languages are being compared. In particular, the criteria of language complexity and documentation value are worth a discussion.

Question

  1. How would you characterize Smalltalk, Eiffel and C++ with respect to reliability, efficiency and complexity? Explain.

Comments

Naturally, you may express your opinion with respect to the relative merits of Smalltalk, Eiffel and C++. Perhaps it is interesting to comment on the standardization efforts undertaken by the OMG and ODMG, see section OMG. It must be observed that these efforts are directed primarily towards C++ and to a lesser extent Smalltalk.