Good OOP?

[timothy]

I'm just starting to develop using OOP. I have a project where I need to use an FTP class to pickup a file with an order, validate the structure and some field values, like part number, against a recordset the update another database. I thought this would be a good place to start my OOP training. I'm hoping I can get your ideas on the best way to design it. This is what I have so far...

class FTPControl - this has all of the methods and properties to FTP (actually already have this).

class Order - will contain all of the order information, properties and methods.

class Validate - will get the business rules for the customer (database conn) and check them against the Order class above.

class DBControl - will contain all properties a methods for connecting and manipulating the database.


One Question I already have on the Order class - How to store the line items? There could be more then one. Should I just use an array?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Salem]

> There could be more then one. Should I just use an array?
I think I'd create an OrderItem class, and then say that Order has a list of OrderItems.


--

 

[timothy]

Thanks that's exactly what I ended up doing. I add each OrderItem to an ArrayList field in Order and I have a property that returns the ArrayList of OrderItems when needed. Very nice!

 

[TECHRIKA]

Don't use an array. If you have a better structure like collection use it.

What language are you modelling for?

Simon

 

[timothy]

Hi, I'm using an ArrayList (collection) in C#. I have an Order object that contains an ArrayList of OrderItem. Then when I what to use the Order's OrderItems I can reference them like so:
// order[0] is a ref to a text file
Order CurOrder = new Order(orders[0]);
foreach (OrderItem orderItem in CurOrder.OrderItems){
...
}

Let me know what you think.

Thanks