method
The name given in {Smalltalk} and other {object-oriented languages} to a procedure or routine
associated with one or more {classes}. An {object} of a
certain class knows how to perform actions, e.g. printing
itself or creating a new instance of itself, rather than the
function (e.g. printing) knowing how to handle different types
of object.
Different classes may define methods with the same name
(i.e. methods may be {polymorphic}). The term "method" is used
both for a named operation, e.g. "PRINT" and also for the code
which a specific class provides to perform tha
t operation.
Most methods operate on objects that are instances of a
certain class. Some object-oriented languages call these
"object methods" to distinguish then from "{class methods}".
In {Smalltalk}, a method is defined by giving its name,
documentation, temporary local variables and a sequence of
expressions separated by "."s.
(2000-03-22)