Dwight Hughes wrote:
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Object is the root class for almost all of the other classes in the


almost all?? for which is it not? 


> class hierarchy. It provides default behavior common to all normal
> objects, such as access, copying, comparison, error handling, message
> sending, and reflection. Also utility messages that all objects should
> respond to are defined here.
> 
> Object has no instance variables, nor should any be added. This is due
> to several classes of objects that inherit from Object that have special
> implementations (SmallInteger and UndefinedObject for example) or the VM
> knows about and depends on the structure and layout of certain standard
> classes.
> 
> Class Variables:
>         DependentsFields                an IdentityDictionary
> 
> Finally, because Object is the root of the inheritance tree, methods are
> often defined in Object to give all objects special behaviors needed by
> certain subsystems or applications, or to respond to certain general
> test messages.
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> -- Dwight