OBJECT-ORIENTED FINITE-ELEMENT PROGRAMMING .2. A PROTOTYPE PROGRAM IN SMALLTALK

This article describes an object-oriented implementation of the finite element method. The prototyping language Smalltalk is used. Some of its useful features are briefly presented; they illustrate how object-oriented programming consists of using mere programming tools in an environment. Similarly the new data types that describe finite elements are introduced as expansions of the existing environment. These new types of objects are described in detail: the element, the node, the domain, the linear system are well insulated entities, able to manage autonomously their data and tasks. Emphasis is laid on the potential of the concepts of object-oriented programming, mainly data encapsulation and inheritance. Key differences with classical Fortran coding are stressed. The objective of this second article is to investigate the potential of object-oriented programming to improve code readability, modularity and reusability in the field of the finite element method.