Programming Paradigms in Graphics

The papers in this volume are a good sampling and overview of current solutions to the problems of creating graphically based systems. The presentations investigate the applicability, merits and problems of various programming paradigms in computer graphics for design, modelling and implementation. The papers are grouped into four parts: Object-Oriented, Constraints, Functional, and Multi-Paradigm. This essentially takes the reader on a tour of the issues. Firstly there are the impressive benefits and power of object-oriented approaches, both as conceptually tools for design and as programming frameworks. In constraints, though, the limitations are exposed, and addressed. Functional programming provides a clear alternative approach with some impressive recent breakthroughs conceptually (e.g., the use of monads to express state) and in practice. Finally some approaches to resolving (or at least enumerating) the multiplicity of approaches encountered are presented.