An instance is implemented using the property list of a symbol that is generated from the name of the class. The function gensym generates new symbols; a function (make-atom class) calls gensym to make a new symbol for an instance.

Two kinds of information need to be stored for instances:

• The class of the instance. This is stored on the property list under the property name class. We assume that class is a reserved word and cannot be the name of a user slot.

• The slot values. These are stored on the property list, using the name of the slot as the property name.

Contents    Page-10    Prev    Next    Page+10    Index