Carbon-based evolution as a metaphor

Rick Knight (rknight@platinum.com)
Wed, 25 Jun 97 09:55:07 CST


It occurred to me the other day that object-oriented (4GL) programming
is following in the same path as carbon-based life's primordial
evolution (on Earth anyway). Metaphorically, if amino acid chains are
like 3GL procedural programming, then our first OO programming would
be the first "life forms" or objects for independent processing and
interaction.

Extending that metaphor, it could be observed that we are in the
processing of creating life using our silicon-based technology that
mirrors (intentionally?) our own ancient beginnings. I'd like to hear
from any mondo-advanced programmers about what the next step (or
several next steps) beyond distributed objects or other
post-Client/Server technology is on the horizon in our technological
evolution.

Rick