MethodDefinition-class        package:methods        R Documentation

_C_l_a_s_s_e_s _t_o _R_e_p_r_e_s_e_n_t _M_e_t_h_o_d _D_e_f_i_n_i_t_i_o_n_s

_D_e_s_c_r_i_p_t_i_o_n:

     These classes extend the basic class `"function"' when functions
     are to be stored and used as method definitions.

_D_e_t_a_i_l_s:

     Method definition objects are functions with additional
     information defining how the function is being used as a method. 
     The `target' slot is the class signature for which the method will
     be dispatched, and the `defined' slot the signature for which the
     method was orignally specified (that is, the one that appeared in
     some call to `setMethod').

_O_b_j_e_c_t_s _f_r_o_m _t_h_e _C_l_a_s_s:

     The action of setting a method creates an object of this class. 
     It's unwise to create them directly.

_S_l_o_t_s:

     `._D_a_t_a': Object of class `"function"'; the data part of the
          definition. 

     `_t_a_r_g_e_t': Object of class `"signature"'; the signature for which
          the method was wanted. 

     `_d_e_f_i_n_e_d': Object of class `"signature"'; the signature for which
          a method was found.  If the method was inherited, this will
          not be identical to `target'. 

_E_x_t_e_n_d_s:

     Class `"function"', from data part.
     Class `"PossibleMethod"', directly.
     Class `"OptionalMethods"', by class "function".

_S_e_e _A_l_s_o:

     class `MethodsList-class' for the objects defining sets of methods
     associated with a particular generic function.  The individual
     method definitions stored in these objects are from class
     `MethodDefinition', or an extension. `MethodWithNext-class' for an
     extension used by `callNextMethod'.

