[Xotcl] XOTcl method call precedence order

From: Neil Madden <nem_at_Cs.Nott.AC.UK>
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 18:01:36 +0100

Hi Gustaf et al.,

I have a quick query regarding the precise method call order used in
XOTcl. The basic concepts involved seem to be filters, mixins, object
methods and inheritance. If I understand things correctly, these
apply in the following order:

     filters -> mixins -> instance methods -> "unknown"

and for each of the first three, lookup is done using the inheritance
hierarchy, i.e.:

     object -> class -> [superclass -> ...]

So, e.g. a per-object filter happens before a class-filter, but a
class-filter still happens before a per-object mixin. "instance
method" refers to procs when we are examining the actual object
instance, and "instprocs" when we are searching its class/superclasses.

Is this description correct? The only two mechanisms that I don't
know where to put are assertions and forwarders. Are these
implemented using e.g. mixins? Or are they a special-purpose
mechanism? If so, where do they come in the order?

Cheers,

-- Neil