Native Objects have as if definitions, but are (usually) implemented with native code. BOOL defines the following:
Native Actions
Actions are callable code blocks, and a key design goal behind BOOL is that its syntax contains only one flow control structure used in the definition of any Actions (including native ones).
@[name]
— performs a “goto” and transfers code execution to name (which must be a labeled section of code).
@^
— jumps to beginning of current code block (similar to “continue”).
@_
— jumps to the end of the current code block (similar to “break”).
@< obj
— push obj onto the Parameter Stack.
@> obj
— pop Parameter Stack into obj.
@return
— exit current Action and return to caller.
@exit
— exit the BOOL system.
Native Models
Models are data types, and BOOL defines a number of standard types:
*bool — TRUE or FALSE
*int — integer number
*float — real number (floating point)
*char — individual character
*string — strings of characters
*date — date and time
BOOL also defines some generic types that can be used as parameters in Actions. They allow a very simple form of type-checking:
*any — accepts any object, including list objects
*one — accepts any single object (no lists)
*list — accepts only list objects
Native Messages
Certain Messages are considered “native” in that all objects must respond to them.
Q: — Query; evaluate and push value on PStack.
X: — Execute; evaluate (as with Q:), but push nothing on PStack.
T: — True, is object; push TRUE or FALSE on PStack
F: — False, is object; push FALSE or TRUE on PStack
W: — Where; push self on PStack (same as Q: for objects)
N: — Name; push name (as a string) on PStack
A: — Array, is object an; push TRUE or FALSE on PStack
P: — Properties; push Property List on PStack
D: — Duplicate; push a clone of self on PStack
Note that Messages are not case-sensitive, but BOOL forces them to uppercase internally.