On 12/28/20 7:11 AM, Parrot Raiser wrote:
"Definition of invoke
transitive verb
1a : to petition for help or support
b : to appeal to or cite as authority
2 : to call forth by incantation : conjure
3 : to make an earnest request for : solicit
4 : to put into effect or operation : implement
5 : bring about, cause"
2,3,4 and possibly even #5 relate to methods.
Simply referring to a method by name, like .rand invokes it directly.
Giving it a value (24.cos) is closer to #3 ("please give me this
value"), and it doesn't matter whether that's a literal or generated
from a variable of some sort.
" invocant n. One who calls upon or invokes."
It could be argued that the calling program is the invocant, but if a
process snoozes until something arrives in its in-box, then does an
action in response, it's a reasonable extension to call the
"something" an invocant. Think of dropping a coin into a soft-drink
machine; the coin invokes the can, even if the former owner of the
coin started the process.
Hi Parrot,
I feel a bit guilty as you put so much work and
thought into your response. I still don't know
what you mean.
$A = 24.cos;
$B = .rand;
Who is invoking? The "=" sign? The "24"?
The ".cos" or ".rand"? Or all of them.
I really do prefer the term "call".
Please do no feel frustrated though, in my Perl 5
days, I could never tell if I was being hosed
when I got told "it's lexiconical". At least
"invokant" is a real word.
-T