CPS 108: Class Design Problem

Spring 1999

Due at the end of class.

Form groups of size three or four persons. You may not work alone! You should start this group activity by introducing each member of the group. You may also want to choose one person to write down the group's discussion on the given foil as you go.

There are three parts to this activity:

Developing an interface for a class that behaves like a Pascal Array (i.e., what are the semantics of using your class)
Writing a variety of test or "use" cases to show how the class works
Writing code the implements the class' interface

After each part, we will re-group with the entire class and discuss the different options to arrive at a class-wide standard.

The Pascal Array Class

You are to design an interface (i.e., the set of public methods) for a class that implements the features of a Pascal-like array. For those of you unfamiliar with that programming language, arrays in Pascal differ from C-like arrays in that they can be initialized with upper and lower bounds. Additionally, attempts to index Pascal arrays are checked by the system to ensure that they are within the given bounds.

Your class should implement at least the features described above. Anything you add should make your class easier to use in C++. Pay special attention to what constructors you provide and what operators you overload. For each public method you create, clearly describe its semantics (or pre- and post-conditions) and why you think it should be included. Your justification can reference Meyers, an example of common C++ practice, or some other description.

Your first order of business is to decide on your class' name.

Example Cases

You are to develop a set of test cases for the Pascal array class ratified by the class. For each test case, you should describe what the case is (i.e., a one-sentence English description of the case's purpose), what code it tests and, most importantly, the test's expected results.

Code

Finally, you are to code the methods from the Pascal array class ratified by the class. Your code should be "Meyers compliant" and pass any of the test cases agreed upon by the class that exercise it. You must turn in proof that you hand-simulated your code with these test cases.