Diff for /freem/doc/freem.texi between versions 1.26 and 1.29

version 1.26, 2025/04/18 03:59:29 version 1.29, 2025/04/18 22:02:33
Line 235  Steve Zeck (Code) Line 235  Steve Zeck (Code)
 $ @command{./freem} [@emph{OPTIONS}...] [[-r <entryref>] | [--routine=<entryref>]]  $ @command{./freem} [@emph{OPTIONS}...] [[-r <entryref>] | [--routine=<entryref>]]
 @end example  @end example
   
 When FreeM loads, it searches the @code{SYSTEM} namespace for the @code{^%SYSINIT} routine, and begins executing it.  When FreeM loads, it searches the @code{SYSTEM} namespace for the @code{%SYSINIT} routine, and begins executing it.
   
 When @code{-r} or @code{--routine} are passed on the command line, FreeM will load and run the specified routine after running @code{^%SYSINIT}. Beginning with FreeM 0.1.7, routines invoked in this manner are no longer required to perform their own namespace setup with @code{VIEW} commands.  When @code{-r} or @code{--routine} are passed on the command line, FreeM will load and run the specified routine after running @code{%SYSINIT}. Beginning with FreeM 0.1.7, routines invoked in this manner are no longer required to perform their own namespace setup with @code{VIEW} commands.
   
 @section %SYSINIT Routine  @section %SYSINIT Routine
   
 The @code{^%SYSINIT} routine runs every time a FreeM interpreter process starts. This routine defines some useful constants, enables handling of @code{TRIGGER} events, and handles the execution of code passed via the @code{-x\--execute} or routines passed via @code{-r|--routine}.  The @code{%SYSINIT} routine runs every time a FreeM interpreter process starts. This routine defines some useful constants, enables handling of @code{TRIGGER} events, and handles the execution of code passed via the @code{-x\--execute} or routines passed via @code{-r|--routine}.
   
 Do not modify the supplied @code{^%SYSINIT} routine to add site-specific startup items. Instead, create a @code{^LCLINIT} routine in the @code{USER} namespace of one or more environments. @code{^%SYSINIT} will automatically run @code{^LCLINIT} each time it starts.  Do not modify the supplied @code{%SYSINIT} routine to add site-specific startup items. Instead, create a @code{LCLINIT} routine in the @code{USER} namespace of one or more environments. @code{%SYSINIT} will automatically run @code{LCLINIT} each time it starts.
   
 @section Command-Line Options  @section Command-Line Options
 @cindex options, command-line  @cindex options, command-line
Line 278  Allows your M routines to be used as UNI Line 278  Allows your M routines to be used as UNI
 Selects the FreeM namespace to be entered on startup. Must be defined in @file{/etc/<environment>/freem.conf}.  Selects the FreeM namespace to be entered on startup. Must be defined in @file{/etc/<environment>/freem.conf}.
   
 @item @option{-r @emph{<entryref>}}, @option{--routine=@emph{<entryref>}}  @item @option{-r @emph{<entryref>}}, @option{--routine=@emph{<entryref>}}
 Causes @code{<entryref>} to be executed at load, instead of @code{^%SYSINIT}.  Causes @code{<entryref>} to be executed at load, instead of @code{%SYSINIT}.
   
 @item @option{--standard=@emph{<standard>}}  @item @option{--standard=@emph{<standard>}}
 Sets the default FreeM dialect to use for new routine buffers.  Sets the default FreeM dialect to use for new routine buffers.
Line 435  Displays a list of @code{LOCK}s held in Line 435  Displays a list of @code{LOCK}s held in
 @item @command{rbuf}  @item @command{rbuf}
 Lists the status of all FreeM routine buffers.  Lists the status of all FreeM routine buffers.
   
 @anchor{dbstats}  
 @item @command{dbstats}  
 Shows statistics for the BerkeleyDB global handler.  
   
 @anchor{wh}  @anchor{wh}
 @item @command{wh}  @item @command{wh}
 Forces an immediate flush of this process's @code{readline} history buffer to disk.  Forces an immediate flush of this process's @code{readline} history buffer to disk.
Line 474  DEFAULT.USER> Line 470  DEFAULT.USER>
 @end example  @end example
   
 @item @command{!@emph{<external-command>}}  @item @command{!@emph{<external-command>}}
 Invokes a shell to run @emph{<external-command>} from within FreeM. This temporarily disables @command{SIGALRM} handling in FreeM, which may interrupt the use of event-driven M programming commands including @command{ESTART} and @command{ESTOP}.  Invokes a shell to run @emph{<external-command>} from within FreeM. This temporarily disables @command{SIGALRM} handling in FreeM, which may interrupt the use of event-driven M programming commands including @command{ASTART} and @command{ASTOP}.
   
 If the @command{>} character is supplied immediately preceding @emph{<external-command>}, FreeM will append the contents of an M local or global variable referenced in @code{^$JOB($JOB,"PIPE_GLVN")} to the standard input stream of @emph{<external-command>}.  If the @command{>} character is supplied immediately preceding @emph{<external-command>}, FreeM will append the contents of an M local or global variable referenced in @code{^$JOB($JOB,"PIPE_GLVN")} to the standard input stream of @emph{<external-command>}.
   
Line 663  Please note that FreeM is not entirely s Line 659  Please note that FreeM is not entirely s
   
 Returns a comma-delimited list of error conditions currently present, and is writable. An empty @code{$ECODE} indicates no errors.  Returns a comma-delimited list of error conditions currently present, and is writable. An empty @code{$ECODE} indicates no errors.
   
   Writing a value in the format @code{,<error-code>,} into @code{$ECODE} will raise that error condition.
   
 @node $ESTACK  @node $ESTACK
 @section $ESTACK  @section $ESTACK
 @cindex $ESTACK  @cindex $ESTACK
Line 1242  The optional fourth argument is the fina Line 1240  The optional fourth argument is the fina
 Can be used on the left-hand side of an expression in order to @code{@ref{SET}} a value into a @code{d}-delimited piece of @code{s}, as in:  Can be used on the left-hand side of an expression in order to @code{@ref{SET}} a value into a @code{d}-delimited piece of @code{s}, as in:
   
 @example  @example
 ; ^jpw="this^is^a^piece"  ; ^snw="this^is^a^piece"
 SET $PIECE(^jpw,"^",2)="isn't" ; => "this^isn't^a^piece"  SET $PIECE(^snw,"^",2)="isn't" ; => "this^isn't^a^piece"
 @end example  @end example
   
 @node $QLENGTH()  @node $QLENGTH()
Line 1275  Returns the number of subscripts in @emp Line 1273  Returns the number of subscripts in @emp
 @code{$QSUBSCRIPT(@emph{expr V glvn},@emph{expr V n})}  @code{$QSUBSCRIPT(@emph{expr V glvn},@emph{expr V n})}
 @end example  @end example
   
 Returns the @emph{n}th subscript of @emph{glvn}.  In the RHS form, returns the @emph{n}th subscript of @emph{glvn}.
   
 @emph{Example}  @emph{Example}
   
Line 1283  Returns the @emph{n}th subscript of @emp Line 1281  Returns the @emph{n}th subscript of @emp
 @code{SET SUB=$QSUBSCRIPT("^GBL(1,2,3)",2) ; => 2}  @code{SET SUB=$QSUBSCRIPT("^GBL(1,2,3)",2) ; => 2}
 @end example  @end example
   
   @emph{Syntax}
   
   @example
   @code{SET $QSUBSCRIPT(@emph{expr V glvn},@emph{expr V n})=@emph{expr} ; => ^GBL(1,4,3)}
   @end example
   
   In the LHS form, sets the @emph{n}th subscript of @emph{glvn} to @emph{expr}.
   
 @node $QUERY()  @node $QUERY()
 @section $QUERY  @section $QUERY
 @cindex $QUERY  @cindex $QUERY
Line 1300  Returns the next subscripted reference i Line 1306  Returns the next subscripted reference i
   
 We will assume the following data structure exists:  We will assume the following data structure exists:
 @example  @example
 ^jpw(1)=1  ^snw(1)=1
 ^jpw(1,2)="foo"  ^snw(1,2)="foo"
 ^jpw(2)=3  ^snw(2)=3
 ^jpw(3)=""  ^snw(3)=""
 @end example  @end example
   
 The following code will retrieve the next subscripted name after @code{^jpw(1)}:  The following code will retrieve the next subscripted name after @code{^snw(1)}:
   
 @example  @example
 @code{SET NEXTNAM=$QUERY(^jpw(1)) ; => ^jpw(1,2)}  @code{SET NEXTNAM=$QUERY(^snw(1)) ; => ^snw(1,2)}
 @end example  @end example
   
 @node $RANDOM()  @node $RANDOM()
Line 1938  Identical to @ref{$TRANSLATE()}, except Line 1944  Identical to @ref{$TRANSLATE()}, except
 * WITH::                                Set prefix for future variable references.  * WITH::                                Set prefix for future variable references.
 * WRITE::                               Write output to current input/output device.  * WRITE::                               Write output to current input/output device.
 * XECUTE::                              Interpret string as M code.  * XECUTE::                              Interpret string as M code.
 * ZALLOCATE::                           Alternative to @code{LOCK}.  
 * ZBREAK::                              Unknown.  * ZBREAK::                              Unknown.
 * ZDEALLOCATE::                         Alternative to @code{LOCK}.  
 * ZGO::                                 Unknown.  * ZGO::                                 Unknown.
 * ZHALT::                               Unknown.  * ZHALT::                               Unknown.
 * ZINSERT::                             Insert code into routine buffer.  * ZINSERT::                             Insert code into routine buffer.
Line 3302  WATCH[@emph{:postcondition}] [+|-|?]@emp Line 3306  WATCH[@emph{:postcondition}] [+|-|?]@emp
 @end example  @end example
   
   
 The following example demonstrates turning watchpoint processing on and adding a watchpoint for global variable @code{^jpw(1)}. It then changes the value of @code{^jpw(1)}.  The following example demonstrates turning watchpoint processing on and adding a watchpoint for global variable @code{^snw(1)}. It then changes the value of @code{^snw(1)}.
   
 @example  @example
 DEFAULT.USER> WATCH  DEFAULT.USER> WATCH
     
 Watchpoints enabled.  Watchpoints enabled.
     
 DEFAULT.USER> WATCH +^JPW(1)  DEFAULT.USER> WATCH +^SNW(1)
     
 Added '^JPW("1")' to the watchlist.  Added '^SNW("1")' to the watchlist.
     
 DEFAULT.USER> SET ^JPW(1)="new value"  DEFAULT.USER> SET ^SNW(1)="new value"
     
 >> WATCHPOINT:  ^JPW("1") => 'new value' (changed 1 times)  >> WATCHPOINT:  ^SNW("1") => 'new value' (changed 1 times)
   
 @end example  @end example
   
 The following example will remove that watchpoint:  The following example will remove that watchpoint:
   
 @example  @example
 DEFAULT.USER> WATCH -^JPW(1)  DEFAULT.USER> WATCH -^SNW(1)
     
 Removed '^JPW("1")' from the watchlist.  Removed '^SNW("1")' from the watchlist.
     
 DEFAULT.USER> WATCH ?^JPW(1)  DEFAULT.USER> WATCH ?^SNW(1)
     
 '^JPW("1")' is not being watched.  '^SNW("1")' is not being watched.
 @end example  @end example
   
 @node WITH  @node WITH
Line 3866  Returns or sets the maximum number of ch Line 3870  Returns or sets the maximum number of ch
 Returns or sets the maximum number of characters of a single global subscript, from 1-255.  Returns or sets the maximum number of characters of a single global subscript, from 1-255.
   
 @item @code{SINGLE_USER} +R +U -D  @item @code{SINGLE_USER} +R +U -D
 If set to @code{1}, FreeM will skip all file locking operations on globals, as well as the @code{LOCK} and @code{ZALLOCATE} tables. If set to @code{0}, FreeM will enforce file locking on both.  If set to @code{1}, FreeM will skip all file locking operations on globals. If set to @code{0}, FreeM will enforce file locking on both.
   
 Setting @code{SINGLE_USER} to @code{1} will improve FreeM performance, but you must @emph{ONLY} use this on systems where you are absolutely sure that only one FreeM process will run at any given time, as running multiple instances of FreeM concurrently when any of them are set to @code{SINGLE_USER} mode @emph{will} cause global data and @code{LOCK}/@code{ZALLOCATE} table corruption!  Setting @code{SINGLE_USER} to @code{1} will improve FreeM performance, but you must @emph{ONLY} use this on systems where you are absolutely sure that only one FreeM process will run at any given time, as running multiple instances of FreeM concurrently when any of them are set to @code{SINGLE_USER} mode @emph{will} cause global data corruption.
   
 @item @code{CHARACTER} +R -U -D  @item @code{CHARACTER} +R -U -D
 Returns the character set of the job.  Returns the character set of the job.
Line 4168  Forces a number to positive, whether pos Line 4172  Forces a number to positive, whether pos
 @section Unary -  @section Unary -
 @cindex operators, unary -  @cindex operators, unary -
   
   Forces a number to negative, whether positive or negative. Also forces numeric coercion of strings.
   
 @node +  @node +
 @section + (Add)  @section + (Add)
 @cindex operators, +  @cindex operators, +
   
   @emph{Syntax}
   
   @example
   S X=1+2 ; => 3
   @end example
   
   Adds numbers together.
   
 @node +=  @node +=
 @section += (Add/Assign)  @section += (Add/Assign)
 @cindex operators, +=  @cindex operators, +=
   
   @emph{Syntax}
   
   @example
   S X=5
   S X+=3 ; => 8
   @end example
   
   Increments the variable on the LHS by the value on the RHS.
   
 @node ++  @node ++
 @section ++ (Postfix Increment)  @section ++ (Postfix Increment)
 @cindex operators, ++  @cindex operators, ++
   
   Increments a variable by 1.
   
 @node -  @node -
 @section - (Subtract)  @section - (Subtract)
 @cindex operators, -  @cindex operators, -
   
   Subtracts one number from another.
   
 @node -=  @node -=
 @section -= (Subtract/Assign)  @section -= (Subtract/Assign)
 @cindex operators, -=  @cindex operators, -=
   
   @emph{Syntax}
   
   @example
   S X=5
   S X-=3 ; => 2
   @end example
   
   Decrements the variable on the LHS by the value on the RHS.
   
 @node --  @node --
 @section -- (Postfix Decrement)  @section -- (Postfix Decrement)
 @cindex operators, --  @cindex operators, --
   
   Decrements the variable by one.
   
 @node *  @node *
 @section * (Multiply)  @section * (Multiply)
 @cindex operators, *  @cindex operators, *
   
   Multiplies one number by another.
   
 @node *=  @node *=
 @section *= (Multiply/Assign)  @section *= (Multiply/Assign)
 @cindex operators, *=  @cindex operators, *=
   
   
   
 @node /  @node /
 @section / (Divide)  @section / (Divide)
 @cindex operators, /  @cindex operators, /
Line 4363  An @code{INTEGER} is an interpretation o Line 4405  An @code{INTEGER} is an interpretation o
 @cindex data types, REAL  @cindex data types, REAL
 @cindex types, REAL  @cindex types, REAL
   
   A @code{REAL} is a numeric interpretation of data including a fractional part.
   
 @node STRING  @node STRING
 @section STRING  @section STRING
 @cindex data types, STRING  @cindex data types, STRING
 @cindex types, STRING  @cindex types, STRING
   
   A @code{STRING} is any data in FreeM.
   
 @node Custom Types (Classes)  @node Custom Types (Classes)
 @section Custom Types (Classes)  @section Custom Types (Classes)
 @cindex data types, custom  @cindex data types, custom
Line 4440  See @ref{Classes}. Line 4486  See @ref{Classes}.
 @cindex programming, object-oriented  @cindex programming, object-oriented
   
 @menu  @menu
 * Classes::             The basis of object-oriented programming.  * Classes::                         The basis of object-oriented programming.
   * Inheritance::                     Basing one class upon another.
   * Methods::                         Attaching code to a class.
   * Public and Private Variables::    Managing class member access.
 @end menu  @end menu
   
 @node Classes  @node Classes
 @section Classes  @section Classes
   
 @menu  A @emph{class} is the primary organizing concept of FreeM support for object-oriented programming, and in FreeM, is simply an M routine with a few special properties:
 * Inheritance::         Basing one class upon another.  
 * Methods::             Attaching code to a class.  @example
 * Public Variables::    Variables visible outside of a class.  MYCLASS(THIS,INIT):OBJECT ; Constructor for MYCLASS, inherits OBJECT
 * Private Variables::   Variables only visible within a class.    ; two private variables
 @end menu    S THIS("NUMERATOR"):PRIVATE=$P(INIT,"/",1)
     S THIS("DENOMINATOR"):PRIVATE=$P(INIT,"/",2)
     Q
     ;
   DESTROY(THIS) ; This is the destructor
     Q
   @end example
   
   The above example demonstrates general class syntax.
   
   @node Constructors
   @subsection Constructors
   
   A @emph{constructor} is an M entry point that is called when a new instance of a class is created.
   
   A constructor must be the first entry point in a class routine, its tag must match the class/routine name, and it must take two arguments, @code{THIS} and @code{INIT}.
   
   @code{THIS} represents the instance of the object being accessed, and @code{INIT} represents an initializer that can be used to assign an initial value to the object when instantiating the class.
   
   A constructor looks like this:
   
   @example
   %FRACTION(THIS,INIT):OBJECT ;
      S THIS("NUMERATOR"):PRIVATE=$P(INIT,"/",1)
      S THIS("DENOMINATOR"):PRIVATE=$P(INIT,"/",2)
      Q
   @end example
   
   @emph{Syntax}
   @example
   @emph{<class-name>}(THIS,INIT)[:@emph{<superclass>}]
   @end example
   
   In the above example, @emph{<superclass>} represents the name of a class from which this class should inherit. In this case, the @code{FRACTION} class inherits from the @code{OBJECT} class. Note that this is not strictly necessary in this case, as all classes in FreeM automatically inherit from @code{OBJECT}.
   
   @node Destructors
   @subsection Destructors
   A @code{destructor} is called when you @code{KILL} an instance variable. Its tag must be @code{DESTROY}, and it must take one argument (@code{THIS}).
   
   The destructor should be used to clean up any resources used by class methods.
   
   A destructor looks like this:
   
   @example
   DESTROY(THIS) ;
     ; free any resources that should be freed at the end of the object's lifetime
     Q
   @end example
   
 @node Inheritance  @node Inheritance
 @subsection Inheritance  @section Inheritance
   
   Every class you create will automatically inherit the methods and functionality of the @code{OBJECT} class, supplied with FreeM.
   
   When attempting to call a method, FreeM will first search the class routine for a matching entry point, and then follow the inheritance chain upwards until a matching entry point is found. If the final class in the chain does not have a matching entry point, FreeM will try to find a matching entry point in the @code{OBJECT} class.
   
   Inheritance is achieved by specifying the name of the superclass in the constructor:
   
   @example
   CLASS(THIS,INIT):SUPERCLASS
   @end example
   
   @node Runtime Polymorphism
   @subsection Runtime Polymorphism
   
   You can achieve runtime polymorphism by subclassing, and defining methods in the subclass that match the names of existing methods in the superclass. Following FreeM inheritance rules, the overridden method in the subclass will be called, and the method in the superclass will not.
   
   Note that the overridden method in the subclass can take a different set or number of arguments than the @emph{formallist} of the superclass method would specify.
   
 @node Methods  @node Methods
 @subsection Methods  @section Methods
   Class methods are defined as tags with @emph{formallist}s in a class routine, and per the typical FreeM object pattern, must take at least one argument, being @code{THIS} (representing a reference to the object instance being accessed).
   
   The following class (@code{MYCLASS}) has a constructor, a destructor, and a method called @code{MYMETHOD}:
   
   @example
   %MYCLASS(THIS,INIT) ;
     Q THIS
   DESTROY(THIS) ;
     Q
   MYMETHOD(THIS) ;
     Q "VALUE"
   @end example
   
   @node Public and Private Variables 
   @section Public and Private Variables
   
 @node Public Variables   FreeM supports private fields with the @code{:PRIVATE} specifier in the @code{SET} command, enforcing classical object-oriented data encapsulation. The code{:PUBLIC} specifier is provided for completeness, and is the default.
 @subsection Public Variables  
   
 @node Private Variables  The below constructor for a @code{FRACTION} class defines two private fields:
 @subsection Private Variables  
   @example
   %FRACTION(THIS,INIT):OBJECT ;
      S THIS("NUMERATOR"):PRIVATE=$P(INIT,"/",1)
      S THIS("DENOMINATOR"):PRIVATE=$P(INIT,"/",2)
      Q
   @end example   
   
   Either of the following commands will create a public field:
   
   @example
     S THIS("VARNAM")="Initial Value"
     S THIS("VARNAM"):PUBLIC="Initial Value"
   @end example
   
   Attempting to access private fields from outside of the class will raise error condition @code{ZOBJFLDACCV}. 
   
 @node Libraries  @node Libraries
 @chapter Libraries  @chapter Libraries
Line 4608  TL1:DEFAULT.USER> trantab Line 4750  TL1:DEFAULT.USER> trantab
    -------   ------         --------     -------   ------         --------
    1         SET            ^FOO=3     1         SET            ^FOO=3
    2         KILL           ^FOO     2         KILL           ^FOO
    3         SET            ^jpw=10     3         SET            ^snw=10
    4         SET            ^BRANDNEW=6     4         SET            ^BRANDNEW=6
   
   Global checkpoints:    Global checkpoints:
Line 4616  TL1:DEFAULT.USER> trantab Line 4758  TL1:DEFAULT.USER> trantab
    GLOBAL                        MODE                FILES     GLOBAL                        MODE                FILES
    ------                        ----                -----     ------                        ----                -----
    ^BRANDNEW                     CP_REMOVE           IN:   /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^BRANDNEW     ^BRANDNEW                     CP_REMOVE           IN:   /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^BRANDNEW
    ^jpw                          CP_RESTORE          IN:   /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^jpw     ^snw                          CP_RESTORE          IN:   /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^snw
                                                      OUT:  /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^jpw.23390.1.chk                                                       OUT:  /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^snw.23390.1.chk
    ^FOO                          CP_RESTORE          IN:   /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^FOO     ^FOO                          CP_RESTORE          IN:   /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^FOO
                                                      OUT:  /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^FOO.23390.1.chk                                                       OUT:  /usr/local/var/freem/USER/globals/^FOO.23390.1.chk
 @end verbatim  @end verbatim
Line 4836  You can also set up a trigger that appli Line 4978  You can also set up a trigger that appli
   
 This routine is the implementation of the @code{$ZCOLUMNS} intrinsic special variable.  This routine is the implementation of the @code{$ZCOLUMNS} intrinsic special variable.
   
 @section ^%SYSINIT  @section %SYSINIT
 @cindex ^%SYSINIT  @cindex %SYSINIT
 @cindex system library routines, ^%SYSINIT  @cindex system library routines, %SYSINIT
   
 This routine is the default startup routine for FreeM running in direct mode.  This routine is the default startup routine for FreeM running in direct mode.
   
Line 5840  The FreeM @code{LOCK} table. Line 5982  The FreeM @code{LOCK} table.
   
 Supported actions are @code{list} and @code{remove}.  Supported actions are @code{list} and @code{remove}.
   
 @item zallocate  
 The FreeM @code{ZALLOCATE} table.  
   
 No actions yet implemented.  
   
 @item journal  @item journal
 FreeM after-image journaling.  FreeM after-image journaling.
   
Line 6066  Module headers should adhere to the foll Line 6203  Module headers should adhere to the foll
  *    binding library   *    binding library
  *   *
  *     *  
  *   Author: Serena Willis <jpw@coherent-logic.com>   *   Author: Serena Willis <snw@coherent-logic.com>
  *    Copyright (C) 1998 MUG Deutschland   *    Copyright (C) 1998 MUG Deutschland
  *    Copyright (C) <Year> Coherent Logic Development LLC   *    Copyright (C) <Year> Coherent Logic Development LLC
  *   *

Removed from v.1.26  
changed lines
  Added in v.1.29


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