I have about 5 years experience in a language called Cache'.
One thing I love regarding this language is something referred to as 'Indirection'. I haven't figured out if .NET offers anything like this at all, possibly C# since Cache' is based on C.
Here's what 'Indirection' is with Cache'.
Suppose I have 1 variable called USER_INPUT that is set to what a user inputs into a field and I have a variable FIELD_NAME that is the name of the current field that a user is inputting. I have 2 fields on a form. These fields are named FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME. So, if the user enters John in the FIRST_NAME field, the USER_INPUT variable would equal 'John' and FIELD_NAME would equal "FIRST_NAME".
Makes sense so far right?
Well, the nice thing about indirection is I can say in Cache': S @FIELD_NAME=USER_INPUT
In english this says, 'set the variable named in FIELD_NAME to the value of USER_INPUT', which means FIRST_NAME now equals "John".
Now the even cooler part about indirection is the ability to call a function named in a variable.
Suppose I have a Main function that accepts 2 parameters COMMAND and BUFFER. Besides the main function I have these many other functions that accept 1 parameter also called BUFFER. Well, with indirection i can say: D @COMMAND(BUFFER). Suppose COMMAND="IncrementCount" and BUFFER="1". Executing this command will call the IncrementCount function and pass BUFFER as a parameter, incrementing the counter by 1.
Cool eh? The usefulness of this is endless in Cache'. I have already found similar instances where I wish I could use this in .NET, specifically C#.
Is this even possible?
One thing I love regarding this language is something referred to as 'Indirection'. I haven't figured out if .NET offers anything like this at all, possibly C# since Cache' is based on C.
Here's what 'Indirection' is with Cache'.
Suppose I have 1 variable called USER_INPUT that is set to what a user inputs into a field and I have a variable FIELD_NAME that is the name of the current field that a user is inputting. I have 2 fields on a form. These fields are named FIRST_NAME and LAST_NAME. So, if the user enters John in the FIRST_NAME field, the USER_INPUT variable would equal 'John' and FIELD_NAME would equal "FIRST_NAME".
Makes sense so far right?
Well, the nice thing about indirection is I can say in Cache': S @FIELD_NAME=USER_INPUT
In english this says, 'set the variable named in FIELD_NAME to the value of USER_INPUT', which means FIRST_NAME now equals "John".
Now the even cooler part about indirection is the ability to call a function named in a variable.
Suppose I have a Main function that accepts 2 parameters COMMAND and BUFFER. Besides the main function I have these many other functions that accept 1 parameter also called BUFFER. Well, with indirection i can say: D @COMMAND(BUFFER). Suppose COMMAND="IncrementCount" and BUFFER="1". Executing this command will call the IncrementCount function and pass BUFFER as a parameter, incrementing the counter by 1.
Cool eh? The usefulness of this is endless in Cache'. I have already found similar instances where I wish I could use this in .NET, specifically C#.
Is this even possible?