rtconst virtual class sys::Func

sys::Obj
  sys::Func

Func models an executable function. Functions are typed by a formal parameter list and return value (or Void if no return). Functions are typically defined as method slots on a type, but may also be defined via closures.

An immutable function is one proven to be thread safe:

• Method functions are always immutable - see sys::Method.func
• Closures which only capture final, const variables are always immutable; toImmutable always returns this
• Closures which capture non-final or non-const variables are always mutable; toImmutable always throws NotImmutableErr
• Closure which capture non-final variables which aren't known to be immutable until runtime (such as Obj or List) will return false for isImmutable, but will provide a toImmutable method which attempts to bind to the current variables by calling toImmutable on each one
• Functions created by Func.bind are immutable if the original function is immutable and every bound argument is immutable

The definition of a final variable is a variable which is never reassigned after it is initialized. Any variable which is reassigned is considered a non-final variable.

See docLang::Functions for details.

bind

Func bind(List<Obj?> args)

Create a new function by binding the specified arguments to this function's parameters. The new function which takes the remaining unbound parameters.

The resulting function is immutable if this function is immutable and all the args are immutable.

call

virtual Func^R call(Func^A? a := null, Func^B? b := null, Func^C? c := null, Func^D? d := null, Func^E? e := null, Func^F? f := null, Func^G? g := null, Func^H? h := null)

Optimized convenience for callList for zero to eight parameters.

callList

virtual Obj? callList(List<Obj?>? args)

Dynamically invoke this function with the specified arguments and return the result. If the function has Void return type, then null is returned. The argument list must match the number and type of required parameters. If this function represents an instance method (not static and not a constructor) then the first argument must be the target object. If the function supports default parameters, omit arguments to use the defaults. It is permissible to pass more arguments then the number of method parameters - the additional arguments are ignored. If no arguments are required, you may pass null for args.

callOn

virtual Obj? callOn(Obj? target, List<Obj?>? args)

Convenience for dynamically invoking an instance method with specified target and arguments. If this method maps to an instance method, then it is semantically equivalent to callList([target, args[0], args[1] ...]). Throw UnsupportedErr if called on a function which is not an instance method.