The R Project SVN R

\name{MethodDefinition-class}
\docType{class}
\alias{MethodDefinition-class}
\title{Classes to Represent Method Definitions }
\description{These classes extend the basic class \code{"function"} when
functions are to be stored and used as method definitions.}
\section{Objects from the Class}{
The action of setting a method creates an object of this class.  It's
unwise to create them directly.
}
\section{Slots}{
  \describe{
    \item{\code{.Data}:}{Object of class \code{"function"}; the data
        part of the definition. }
    \item{\code{target}:}{Object of class \code{"signature"}; the
        signature for which the method was wanted. }
    \item{\code{defined}:}{Object of class \code{"signature"}; the
        signature for which a method was found.  If the method was
        inherited, this will not be identical to \code{target}. }
  }
}
\section{Extends}{
Class \code{"function"}, from data part.
Class \code{"PossibleMethod"}, directly.
Class \code{"OptionalMethods"}, by class "function".
}
\details{
  Method definition objects are functions with additional information
  defining how the function is being used as a method.  The
  \code{target} slot is the class signature for which the method will
  be dispatched, and the \code{defined} slot the signature for which
  the method was orignally specified (that is, the one that appeared
  in some call to \code{\link{setMethod}}).
}
\seealso{ See class \code{\link{MethodsList-class}} for the objects
  defining sets of methods associated with a particular generic
  function.  The individual method definitions stored in these objects
  are from class \code{MethodDefinition}, or an extension.
 \code{\link{MethodWithNext-class}} for an extension used by \code{\link{callNextMethod}}. }

\keyword{classes}