Organizational foundations of object-oriented programming

This article demonstrates that object-oriented programming (OOP) systems are in fact part of a larger class of technical systems, which are structured along "holonic" organizational lines. The properties of holonic organizational architecture are brought out and applied to the description of OOP systems. This brings out the fundamental organizational features of OOP systems, abstracting them from other issues to do with standardization, replication, or costs, and enables a clearer understanding of the sources of their efficiency with respect to traditional, functionally structured programs. Finally, the use of the holonic paradigm as a design tool is illustrated, with a view to further developing the organizational clarity and effectiveness of OOP systems.