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Code Contract (Cross Ref > OOP Details)

Code Contract

A.k.a. Class Contract and Design by Contracts.

A contract with a method that must be true upon calling (pre) or exiting (post). A pre-condition contract must be true when the method is called. A post-condition contract must be true when exiting. If either are not true, an error is raised. For example, you can use code contracts to check for the validity of input parameters, and results

An invariant is also a code contract which validates the state of the object required by the method.

Access VBA: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

ASP Classic: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

C#: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

Although not currently supported, there are plans for the next version of VS.Net and .Net using Requires and Ensures keywords. Look for code contracts in VS.Net 2010 and .Net 4.

Read About It: Introduction to Code Contracts

If you code with VS.Net 2008 Pro or above and wish to implement contracts now, checkout the following download:

Managed Contract Tools

Syntax Example:

//Future syntax may look something like:

string SetAge(int pAge) { 
  Contract.Requires(pAge>0);
}

string GetAge() { 
  Contract.Ensures(Contract.Result() != null);

C++/CLI: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

Corel Paradox: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

Delphi: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

Delphi does not offer built-in Design by Contract features. It does offer an Assert method which tests if an expression is true. If false, an EAssertionFailed exception is raised. Although you can use Assert in a similar manor as you would use a pre-condition contract, the Delphi help clearly says Assert is a debugging tool only and to not use it in production code.

//Although not intended as a code contract feature,

//Assert is useful for debugging.

method Cyborg.Walk(pPace);

begin
  Assert(pPace > 0);
  Assert(pPace < 100);

  //Overloaded version with message.
  Assert(FEnergyLevel >= 10, 'Energy level too low.');
end;

Delphi Prism: "Class Contracts" require, ensure

Prism supports class contracts with its require and ensure keywords. The require keyword is a pre condition that must be true when the method is called. The ensure keyword is a post condition that must be true when a method exits. With either, if the condition evaluates to false, then an assertion is generated.

The require and ensure keywords will expand the method body to list the preconditions; both sections can contain a list of Boolean statements, separated by semicolons.

Syntax Example:

method Cyborg.Walk(pPace);
require
  pPace > 0;

  pPace < 100;

begin
  ensure
    FEnergyLevel >= 10;
end;

More Info

To/From Code Guide: Code Contract (Cross Ref > OOP Details) vs. Other Languages

Definition:

Code Contract

VB Classic: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

VB.Net: "Code Contracts" Not Supported

Although not currently supported, there are plans for the next version of VS.Net and .Net using Requires and Ensures keywords. Look for code contracts in VS.Net 2010 and .Net 4.

Read About It: Introduction to Code Contracts

If you code with VS.Net 2008 Pro or above and wish to implement contracts now, checkout the following download:

Managed Contract Tools