Copying
- Original object is a prototype.
- Programming is making prototypes
- Some SELF prototypes:
- point, list, sequence, byteVector,
set, dictionary, unixFile, process,
profiler, time, colorPickerMorph,
debugger, paint, webBrowser...
|
Copying
A running program usually creates lot of objects: things like points, collections and
graphical widgets. In Self, these usually possess the same structure and
behavior as existing objects, and are made by copying. The master object from
which all objects of the same type are copied (directly or indirectly via another
copy) is known as a prototype.
Programming in a prototype-based language means creating a collection of
prototypical objects with the desired structure and behavior, such that when the
program is running new objects are created and interact with each other to achieve
the desired overall effect.
Each data type is represented, then, by a prototypical instance of that data type.
For example, lists are represented by an empty list object. If we want a new list, we
copy the prototypical list.
A Self system has hundreds of prototypes. Here are the names of some:
point, list, sequence, byteVector, set, dictionary, unixFile,
process, profiler, time, colorPickerMorph, debugger, paint,
webBrowser...
|
