Meta-induction: 3-level generalization from examples in object-oriented design

Abstract

Our paper is about generalization from examples. We want to study the methods to turn an example into a class (a concept). We distinguished between three levels in generalization. First, simple generalization, which is the "classical way" to turn an example into a class. Second, abstraction, which is an upper level of generalization: we will generalize more than necessary, keeping common features if we consider several individuals; it may allow future re-use. Third, a meta level exists: it is induction of metaclasses. A metaclass may be considered as a class of classes; it contains the behaviours of classes. These three levels of generalization seem to be essential to a modern Object-Oriented Design, which would take into account abstraction, re-use, behaviours and metaclasses.