This work introduces the benefits of object-oriented programming and discusses how the technology can be used to improve productivity in building software systems in the manufacturing domain. It addresses a wide range of issues from languages, design principles, research examples through to industrial applications and management issues. In essence, the main objective of the book is to interpret and apply object-oriented concepts in the context of designing manufacturing systems applications. The main audience for this book consists of professionals, engineers and managers, who deal with manufacturing systems, as well as students and educators looking for new directions in building software systems to solve problems in this area. The book should also be of special interest to engineering and computer professionals who have heard the term "object-oriented" and want to learn more about it and its importance, especially in designing software for manufacturing systems. This book should be of interest to: software and manufacturing engineers in industry; software consultants; technical managers; graduate students and researchers in computer-integrated manufacturing.
