An Approach to Programming Based on Concepts

Abstract: In this paper we describe a new approach to programming which generalizes object-oriented programming. It is based on using a new programming construct, called concept, which generalizes classes. Concept is defined as a pair of two classes: one reference class and one object class. Each concept has a parent concept which is specified using inclusion relation generalizing inheritance. We describe several important mechanisms such as reference resolution, context stack, dual methods and life-cycle management, inheritance and polymorphism. This approach to programming is positioned as a new programming paradigm and therefore we formulate its main principles and rules.