Eliminating assignments and variable syntax (accessors)

Stefan Matthias Aust sma at netsurf.de
Mon Aug 2 21:14:33 UTC 1999


>So, each and every time the code generated for
>
>	myInstanceVar:newValue
>
>is encountered at run-time, wouldn't a search of one or more method
>dictionaries be needed to see if there is a method available and only 
>fall back to direct access if none were found? 

In theory, yes. But assuming that there's a clean interface to adding new
methods to the system, this interface method can perform the needed test
and then recompile all affected methods accordingly.

>And this is an objection to the "always use accessors" argument that may
>not have been stated clearly enough: While understanding the current 
>effects of "self x: 1" is a little more difficult that understanding
>"x _ 1", understanding what effect "self x: 1" might have in the future 
>is impossible.

Good point!


bye
--
Stefan Matthias Aust  //  Bevor wir fallen, fallen wir lieber auf.





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