The first guide of its kind, this manual of practical development shows programmers how to build object-oriented class libraries in a language-neutral environment. Written in a clear, easy-to-understand style, the book delivers a comprehensive explanation of what IBM's System Object Model (SOM) is and how it can be used to design and implement object-oriented applications. Beginning with a global overview of SOM, the book clarifies the basic steps involved in creating SOM objects; profiles the complete SOM system (including classes, metaclasses, inheritance and method-resolution ); shows how SOM complements C++; breaks new ground in the areas of distributed objects, persistence objects and replication; and looks at the current work and future directions of SOM.