Tapping in on resources

When it comes to producing new examples for a course, where better to look than close to home? Yesterday, I was looking for an example to use when I was covering object design in Python and I hit upon working with taps and the water suppy to them.

Mixer tap in the library

Looking around, we have quite a few taps here; several of them are in the training centre part of the building (the first two that I've pictured) and others are elsewhere.

Cold tap outside

The taps differ a little - some are mixer taps, others (such as the outside tap) are cold only,and the tap in the kitchen is a spectacular tap that I've christened to be a "supertap". Together, these make a great example of a base class and the ability to define inheritance.

Washbasin tap in the shower room

Our sample application went further. We defined connection objects which describe which mains supply each tap is connected to in the building, and we then define a maximum flow through that connection. This allows our python application to know when there isn't enough capacity available when someone tries to turn a tap on.

The tap in the kitchen - supertap

If you're writing code in an object oriented language such as Python, it's important that you think carefully about the objects that you're dealing with and specify the classes and methods that you'll be using as carefully as possible at the start. On many of our courses, we include modules on object oriented design in order to help you save time in the long term by getting tings right from the start.
Utility room tap

It's only when you start working with classes in this way that you realise just what a powerful resource they are ...

(written 2005-03-05 08:26:34)

Associated topics are indexed under

Q907 - Object Orientation and General technical topics - Object Orientation: Design Techniques
Y301 - Python - Class Interaction - an example

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Conventional restraints removed
What and why for the epoch
Difficulties with a trolley
Crossfertilisation, PHP to Python
Tapping in on resources
Preparation for a day's work
How to get the best from your supplier
Giving customers best value
Diverse activities
Feedback as lifeblood

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