Design to add two composite object

[devendraC]

I have a Composite object (written in C++) which represents a XML tree. I need to design for adding/merging two composite objects.

To make it more clear, I have following two XML tree which represents the same object class:

Object #1:
-----------
Module M1
SubModule S1
Routine R1
Routine R2
SubModule S2
SubModule S3

Object #2:
-----------
Module M1
SubModule S1
Routine R1
SubModule S2
Routine R3
SubModule S4



A) First problem is to represent above XML tree in C++ class hierarchy

B) Second problem is to add/overlay first object with second object as follows:
a) Add (object1.Add(object2):
It means add only the extra components and leave rest of the existing
objects untouched. That means in the above case i) add "Routine R3" of
Object2 to SubModule S2 of Object1 ii) add "SubModule S4" of Object2 to
Object1
b) Overlay (object1.Overlay(object2):
In case of overlay, it means that add as well as update the existing objects.


Thanks
Devendra

[devendraC]

Reposting XML trees:

Object #1:
---------------
<Module Name="M1">
  <SubModule Name="S1">
    <Routine Name="R1>
    </Routine>
    <Routine Name="R2>
    </Routine>
  </SubModule>
  <SubModule Name="S2">
  </SubModule>
  <SubModule Name="S3">
  </SubModule>
</Module>
 
Object #2:
---------------
<Module Name="M1">
  <SubModule Name="S1">
    <Routine Name="R1>
    </Routine>
  </SubModule>
  <SubModule Name="S2">
    <Routine Name="R2>
    </Routine>
  </SubModule>
  <SubModule Name="S4">
  </SubModule>
</Module>
 

[sicarie]

So where are you stuck? What do you need help on?

[devendraC]

A) First problem is to represent above XML tree in C++ class hierarchy

B) Second problem is to add/overlay first object with second object as follows:
a) Add (object1.Add(object2):
It means add only the extra components and leave rest of the existing
objects untouched. That means in the above case i) add "Routine R3" of
Object2 to SubModule S2 of Object1 ii) add "SubModule S4" of Object2 to
Object1
b) Overlay (object1.Overlay(object2):
In case of overlay, it means that add as well as update the existing objects.



This is a very generic problem and I think there must be some elegant solution for it. If anyone have link for it please help.

[sicarie]

So, as per our Posting Guidelines, what have you tried already?

[devendraC]

I see following picture of class structure:
-------------ProgramObject
----------------- |-----------------
|-----------------|----------------- |
Module SuModule Routine

 
Important things to note
1) ProgramObject will be a composite object and represent a general tree structure 
 
2) Additions in class ProgramObject :
 
Class ProgramObject
{
   List<ProgramObject  *> m_MyChilds;
   Enum ProgramObjectType
   {
      Module,
      SubModule,
      Routine
   }
   Virtual ObjectType  GetType() = 0;
   Virtual string GetName() = 0;
   Virtual void AddValue(ProgramObject *pobject) = 0;
    Virtual void Add(ProgramObject * pTarget);
};
 
Class Module
{
      virtual ObjectType  GetType() { return Module};
      void AddValue(Module *pobject)
      {
                  ……………………….
                  Do needful for adding two Realms
                  ……………………….
      }
}
 
3. Implementing Add():
 
ProgramObject::Add(ProgramObject * pTarget)
{
   If(GetType() == pTarget->GetType() && GetName() == pTarget->GetName())
   {
      AddValue(pTarget);
   }
   for( each child1 in list m_MyChilds )
   {
      for( each child2 in list pTarget->m_MyChilds )
      {
         child1->Add(child2);
      }
   }
}
}
 
 

Here I have two concerns with this approach
c)ProgramObject::Add(ProgramObject * pTarget) do extra iterations --------- trying to call Add() for each possible child pair of two trees
b)Calling GetType() --- Not a good approach to ask some class about itself …. One should use polymorphism instead.