classano

Classano is a term used in computer science education to refer to a hypothetical, class-based programming language used in instructional materials to illustrate object-oriented design. It is not an actual language implemented for production use, but rather a didactic construct that helps learners focus on class structure, encapsulation, and method design.

The name combines "class" with "nano" to evoke modular, small-scale building blocks. The concept arose in teaching resources as a neutral reference point that allows instructors to discuss object-oriented principles without tying discussions to a specific real-world language.

Design and characteristics attributed to Classano are intentionally abstract and simplified. It envisions a statically typed, class-centric model with classes as the primary unit of abstraction. Key ideas include encapsulation through access modifiers, constructors and methods, and straightforward inheritance and polymorphism to illustrate how objects interact. The imagined syntax emphasizes readable class declarations, fields, and behaviors while keeping the focus on design rather than language idiosyncrasies.

Usage and pedagogy: Classano appears in textbooks, lecture slides, and exercises to demonstrate patterns such as factory, strategy, and observer without the complexity of particular languages. Students compare Classano concepts to those in Java, C++, or Python to understand differences in type systems, method resolution, and memory management.

Example: a typical Classano exercise defines a BankAccount class with fields like balance and accountNumber and methods such as deposit, withdraw, and getBalance, used to illustrate state and behavior encapsulation.

Status: As a fictional teaching aid, Classano has no official specification or production implementation; it remains a pedagogical tool for exploring object-oriented design.