Evaluation

apply

Apply the given function to the supplied list of arguments. The values within the list are assumed to have been evaluated -- no further evaluation takes place before the argument list is given to the function being applied.

Arguments:

Return type: Object - this is the result returned by the applied function.

objectApply

Apply tthe method of the given object to the supplied list of arguments -- no further evaluation takes place before the argument list is given to the function being applied.

Arguments:

Return type: Object - this is the result returned by the applied method.

eval

Evaluate the supplied expression. Except for objects of type List and Symbol, an object evaluates to itself.

A List is taken to be a function expression, the head being the function name, the tail being the argument list.

A Symbol is taken to stand for either a global variable (if it starts with a double colon :: or a local variable. Its value is looked up in the appropriate environment.

Arguments:

Return type: Object

quote

Protect the argument from evaluation. For example:

    (defun NIL test ()

        (local (a Integer)
        )

        (set a 33)

        (print a)                   # prints the value of a ie. 33

        (print (quote a))           # stops a from being evaluated, so prints out the symbol: a

        (print (eval (quote a)))    # the quote protects against evaluation, returning the symbol a
                                    # but the eval re-evaluates it to give 33

    )

Arguments:

Return type: Object

stop

Stop the interactive parser. All objects in existence are destroyed and the interpreter finishes.

Arguments: none

Return type: Object