On 12/28/20 7:11 AM, Parrot Raiser wrote:
"Definition of invoketransitive 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
