Basics

Contents

• Basics
  • Introduction
  • Strings vs Symbols
  • The Meta Environment

Introduction

This page contains basic information for coders working with SOZ.

Strings vs Symbols

SOZ uses Strings, instead of Symbols, within the code for Arguments, Class, Method and Function names and documentation strings, because:

• converting strings to symbols is easy.
• Users have to be able to read the strings.
• It enables automatic documentation of the system.

The Meta Environment

The Meta Environment exists as a single entity in memory at run-time and stores and indexes all relationships between:

• Classes,
• Functions,
• Methods
• Categories
• Settings

The Meta information is accessed to determine things such as:

• Superclass and Subclass information
• Function / Method signatures and their required Types / Classes.