Final answer:
Eiffel programming language treats primitive types as first-class objects by not distinguishing them from more complex types. This integration simplifies the type system, allowing all data types to participate in object-oriented concepts such as inheritance and polymorphism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Eiffel programming language treats all data types, including primitive types, as first-class objects. This approach differs from many programming languages that draw a distinction between primitive (or basic) types like integers and characters, and reference types like objects and arrays.
In Eiffel, there is no such distinction; every type is treated as a class. This means that even primitive types have associated methods and can be manipulated using object-oriented principles. For example, an integer in Eiffel can be an instance of a class that includes methods for various numeric operations, comparisons, and conversions.
This seamless integration of primitive types into the object model simplifies the language's type system and promotes consistency. By treating everything as an object, Eiffel allows all data types to participate in inheritance, polymorphism, and other core object-oriented concepts. The advantages of Eiffel's approach include easier code maintenance, enhanced readability, and a unified type system that can leverage the full power of object-oriented design.