Syntax

class Counter( value=1:Int32, limit=10:Int32, ... ) [compound]
  GLOBAL METHODS
    method create( alternate-constructor-1 )->Counter
      return Counter( ... )

    method create( alternate-constructor-2 )->Counter
      return Counter( ... )

  PROPERTIES
    additional-property : SomeType
    ...

  METHODS
    method advance [mutating]
      if (value < limit) ++value

    method is_finished->Logical
      return (value == limit)

endClass

Description

• A compound defines a datatype that is pass-by-value instead of the typical pass-by-reference.
• A compound class creates a compound whereas a standard object class creates an object.
• Compounds are stack-based allocations that do not require any memory management.
• Constructors must be global factory methods (create(...)) rather than initializers (init(...)) typically used with objects.
• All compound methods are read-only or immutable by default.
• A compound method can change compound properties if it has the [mutable] attribute.
• Mutable compound methods can only be called directly on a compound variable (a property or local); they cannot be called on method return values.