OBJECT FUNCTIONS

Note that the functions provided in classes.lsp are useful but not necessary.

Messages defined for Object and Class are listed starting on page 24.

(send <object> <message> [<args>...])

<object> the object to receive the message

<message> message sent to object

<args> arguments to method (if any)

returns the result of the method

(send-super <message> [<args>])

<message> message sent to method's superclass

<args> arguments to method (if any)

returns the result of the method

(defclass <sym> <ivars> [<cvars> [<super>]])

<sym> symbol whose value is to be bound to the class object (quoted)

<ivars> list of instance variables (quoted). Instance variables specified either as <ivar> or (<ivar> <init>) to specify non-NIL default initial value.

<cvars> list of class variables (quoted)

<super> superclass, or Object if absent.

This function sends :SET-PNAME (defined in classes.lsp) to the new class to set the class' print name instance variable.

(send <object> :<ivar>)
Returns the specified instance variable

(send <object> :SET-IVAR <ivar> <value>)
Used to set an instance variable, typically with setf.
(send <sym> :NEW {:<ivar> <init>})
Actually definition for :ISNEW. Creates new object initializing instance variables as specified in keyword arguments, or to their default if keyword argument is missing. Returns the object.

(defmethod <class> <sym> <fargs> <expr> ...)

<class> Class which will respond to message

<sym> Message name (quoted)

<fargs> Formal argument list. Leading "self" is implied (quoted)

<expr> Expressions constituting body of method (quoted)

returns the class object.

(definst <class> <sym> [<args>...])

<class> Class of new object

<sym> Symbol whose value will be set to new object

<args> Arguments passed to :NEW (typically initial values for instance variables)