Multi-methods are a straightforward extension of traditional (single) dynamic dispatch, which is the core of most object oriented languages. With multi methods, a method call will select an appropriate implementation based on the values of multiple arguments, and not just the first/receiver. Language support for both single and multiple dispatch is typically designed to be used in conjunction with other object oriented features, in particular classes and inheritance. But are these extra features really necessary?
Mμl is a dynamic language designed to be as simple as possible but still supporting flexible abstraction and polymorphism. Mμl provides only two forms of abstraction: (object) identities and (multi) methods. In Mμl method calls are dispatched based on the identity of arguments, as well as whether other method-calls would successfully dispatch. In order to keep Mμls design simple, when multiple method definitions are applicable, the most recently defined one is chosen, not the most specific (as is conventional with dynamic dispatch).
In this paper we show how by defining methods at runtime, we obtain much of the power of classes and meta object protocols, in particular, the ability to dynamically modify the state and behaviour of ‘classes’ of objects.
(multi-methods (3).pdf) | 530KiB |
Sun 20 Oct Times are displayed in time zone: Beirut change
09:00 - 09:30 Full-paper | Ambiguous, Informal, and Unsound: Metaprogramming for Naturalness META Toni MattisHasso Plattner Institute, University of Potsdam, Patrick ReinHasso Plattner Institute, Germany, Robert HirschfeldHasso-Plattner-Institut (HPI), Germany | ||
09:30 - 10:00 Full-paper | From Definitional Interpreter To Symbolic Executor META Adrian Mensing, Hendrik van AntwerpenTU Delft, Eelco VisserDelft University of Technology, Casper Bach PoulsenDelft University of Technology Link to publication Pre-print | ||
10:00 - 10:30 Short-paper | Mμl: The Power of Dynamic Multi-Methods META Isaac Oscar GarianoVictoria University of Wellington, Marco ServettoVictoria University Wellington, New Zealand File Attached |