The Object-Oriented Thought Process, Fourth Edition

Code: To Reuse or Not to Reuse?

Programmers have been dealing with the issue of code reuse ever since writing their first line of code. Many software development paradigms stress code reuse as a major part of the process. Since the dawn of computer software, the concept of reusing code has been reinvented several times. The OO paradigm is no different. One of the major advantages touted by OO proponents is that if you write code properly the first time, you can reuse it to your heart’s content.

This is true only to a certain degree. As with all design approaches, the utility and the reusability of code depends on how well it was designed and implemented. OO design does not hold the patent on code reuse. There is nothing stopping anyone from writing ...