When to use an interface?

ABSTRACT

Interface, as an object-oriented programming construct, has been one of the most difficult concepts for students to understand and apply properly. Textbooks often only address the shallow side of usefulness of interfaces, and some may even mislead as to when and how an interface should be used. This article argues that the interfaces can only be effectively taught in a context of program design. The material is appropriate to be included in a second course on programming.

REFERENCES

• 1: Dale, N. et al. Object-Oriented data Structures Using Java, Jones and Bartlett, 2002
• 2: Farrell, J. Java Programming, 3rd Ed, Course Technology, 2006
• 3: Malin, D. S. Java, Programming -- from problem analysis to program design, 2nd Ed, Course Technology, 2006
• 4: The Java#8482; Tutorial. Retrieved 11/25/2005, from http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/java/concepts/interface.html
• 5: Shalloway, A. & Trott, J. Design Patterns Explained, Addison Wesley, 2005

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.5 Object-oriented Programming

  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Theory and methods

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum; Computer science education

General Terms:
Design, Management

Keywords:
interface, object-orientation, program design