Static Method Lookup

In a static language, all of the methods defined for each class can be determined at compile time. Lookup of the called routine can then be done efficiently:

• Selector names are converted to integer offsets.
• A class is implemented during execution as an array of method addresses ( virtual method table (VMT) or vtable).
• A method call obj.sel(args) is executed by:
  • Getting the class pointer from obj
  • Using the offset associated with sel to look up the method address in the method table of the class
  • Calling the method.