n							    CLASS(DICTIONARY)
						     Demeter Reference Manual




   NAME
     class dictionary - a collection of objects and classes in the Demeter
     System/C++


   DESCRIPTION
     A class dictionary is a collection of objects and classes.  A class is
     an abstract representation of a data type and its fuctions.  An object
     is an instant of a class.	There are three types of classes in the Deme-
     ter System/C++, Repetitive, Construction, and Alternation.

     A legal class dictionary is a class dictionary which passes .I sem-
     check.  Sem-check performs semantic verification of the class diction-
     ary.


   SYNTAX
     The syntax for a class dictionary is as follows:

     _C_o_n_s_t_r_u_c_t_i_o_n _C_l_a_s_s Construction classes are on the left side of an equal
     sign (=) with all subclasses on the right side followed by a period.

     _A_l_t_e_r_n_a_t_i_o_n _C_l_a_s_s Alternation classes are on the left hand side of a
     colon (:) with all sub-classes on the right side followed by period.

     _R_e_p_e_t_i_t_i_v_e _C_l_a_s_s Repetitive classes are on the left side followed by a
     tilde (~) with the repeating subclass enclosed within curly braces {}.


   EXAMPLE
     _C_l_a_s_s _D_i_c_t_i_o_n_a_r_y Example = Meal_List.		  (Construction
     Class) Meal : Breakfast Lunch Dinner.	(Alternation Class) Meal_List
     ~ {Meal}.		       (Repetitive Class)


   SEE ALSO
     sem-check(1) and propagate(1)


   REFERENCES
     _U_s_e_r'_s _G_u_i_d_e _f_o_r _t_h_e _D_e_m_e_t_e_r _S_y_s_t_e_m/_C++ Walter L. Hursch Norhteastern
     University, 1993











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