Functions

ParameterConstraintsContract

Linking declaration

calling-convention ::= label
  format           ::= identifier
link               ::= link [s] calling-convention

Functions can have a calling-convention parameter: the names and types of the possible values are for future times (and platform specific)

Placement rules

placement          ::= inline
                    |  generic
generic-type       ::= @ identifier

Generic code uses identifiers with an '@' prefix to indicate the placeholder types.

Code use

code-use           ::= terminal
                    |  co_routine
                    |  generator
                    |  volatile
                    |  constant
                    |  synchronized
                    |  weak
terminal
Function will never return, it should only have 'my' parameters, and no further code after its call is allowed
co_routine
Function can only be used by resume. It can not have any parameters.
generator
Function can use yield
volatile
Function changes some basic (global) property. No code may be moved from before <-> after its call by the optimizer.
const
Function changes nothing except its arguments, and also gives a identical result for constant arguments. NB: print functions are never constant. These functions, when called with constant arguments, may be resolved at compile time.
synchronized
Only one active instance of the function may exists. This is done inside the function itself, so the parameter evaluation and the call itself are not protected. Synchronized implies volatile
weak
Function need not be available. Parameter evaluation (including side effects) is not done when the function is not available. Note that weak function do certain magick; see TODO.

Parameter

pass               ::= copy | take | use
		    |  borrow | share
		    |  give | present
copy
(In) Pass by value, a new value is made, the function gets the ownership
take [my]
(In) Pass by reference, the function gets the ownership
borrow [your]
(In/Out) Pass by reference, function does not get the ownership
THEIR
(In/Out) Pass by value - return (for example RPC calls)
share [our]
(In/Out) Pass a shared variable by reference
use
(In) This is the odd one out. Actually use indicates that it is either passed as borrow or as copy, but it has to be constant! The compiler/interpreter can decide which method to choose.
Nota Bene: you can (and should) not use ==, or any other feature which is based on the identity of the parameter.
give
(Out) Return by reference, the caller gets the ownership
Return (out) value. Actually space for this paremeter is allocated by the caller, and a reference to this space is passed to the function. Except when the optimizer decides otherwise (TODO) like using registers
present
(Out) Return a shared variable
mandatory
The default value: this parameter has to be there
automatic
If this parameter is not present, a variable of this type is quietly created in the 'nearest' with block in scope.
Note that a 'that automatic' parameter can be used as hidden iterator
Also note that a 'return automatic' parameter is effectively an optional return value
repeated
The type of this parameter is silently promoted to 'const []' of its original type, and all calling params of the same type are aggregated into that array.
Note that you can use the compound structure if you have 2+ repeated parameter of identical type.
define function foo(my repeated integer a, my repeated integer b);
my int i,j,k,l;
foo(i,j,k,l);     # a.length()==3 (i,j,k), b.length()==1 (l)
foo((i,j),(k,l)); # a.length()==2 (i,j),   b.length()==2 (k,l)
parameter          ::= [presence] [pass change] [check] type

Shortcut: If there is no passing method and no change field then 'some const' is silently inserted.

Constraints

fn-constraint      ::= restriction-x
                    |  requirement
		    |  ensure-guarantee
                    |  invariant-x

Contract

parameter-list     ::= list-start [parameters] list-end
function           ::= function
end-function       ::= end [[s] function [s identifier]
function-contract  ::= function identifier [s] parameter-list [[s] sep fn-constraint]...
...