EASI supports object oriented programming. The subject of object-oriented programming in general is addressed in a large body of literature, much of which can be applied to the implementation in EASI. Among the benefits for this style of programming are the promotion of code reuse, increased reliability through data hiding, and a more balanced emphasis on data as well as function in software design.
Primary to EASI's support of object oriented programming is the definition of classes. Classes tie together both data and functions. A class can be defined to contain data of various types, in a manner similar to structures. Unlike structures, however, access to data within a class can be restricted. An instance of a particular class is called an object, and each object has its own copy of all the data fields defined in the class. Functions that are associated with a class are called methods, and act on instances or objects of the class. A class may be defined to inherit both data fields and methods from another (parent) class, and can enhance or specialize the capabilities of the parent class by adding additional data fields and methods, and by superseding methods of the parent class with new versions.
© PCI Geomatics Enterprises, Inc.®, 2026. All rights reserved.