Title: Code Reuse With Transformation Objects,
Abstract: We present an approach for a lightweight datatype-generic programming in
Objective Caml programming language aimed at better code reuse. We show, that a
large class of transformations usually expressed via recursive functions with
pattern matching can be implemented using the single per-type traversal
function and the set of object-encoded transformations, which we call
transformation objects. Object encoding allows transformations to be modified,
inherited and extended in a conventional object-oriented manner. However, the
data representation is kept untouched which preserves the ability to construct
and pattern-match it in the usual way. Our approach equally works for regular
and polymorphic variant types which makes it possible to combine data types and
their transformations from statically typed and separately compiled components.
We also present an implementation which allows us to automatically derive most
functionality from a slightly augmented type descriptions.