RE: [Xotcl] Non-polymorphic methods (long post)

From: Kurt Stoll <kstoll_at_echelon.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:24:55 -0800

Thanks! That helps. And, yes, that was what I had in mind. I had
similarly simple examples, but, when I said that I couldn't come up with a
simple example, I meant that I couldn't come up with one that had a
justifiable need, without getting reasonably complex.

I like both of the last two solutions, at least to some extent (the first
one is, as you said, "rude"). I had proceeded down an approach similar to
the second one, and found that it works. It just seems as if it is a
general enough requirement that the language should have built in support
for it (and I thought it might already be there and I couldn't find it).
But, given the extensible nature of XOTcl (and Tcl, in general), I suppose I
can add it to my environment and not worry about the rest of the world.

The last solution is one that I had not considered. I find it intriguing
and may use it as well. My first objection was that a class proc does not
normally have access to instance variables. But, this can be solved by
passing in the object itself. This still feels kind of wrong, but I can
imagine there may be times when it works.

Finally, I did not appreciate all of the complexities that would be involved
with eliminating polymorphism. (Of course, I don't really want to eliminate
polymorphism; I just want to start the search higher up the tree.) I'm just
glad there is someone in a position to appreciate, understand, and plan for
these complexities.

Thanks again,
Kurt Stoll