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authorRichard M. Stallman2006-07-24 17:58:11 +0000
committerRichard M. Stallman2006-07-24 17:58:11 +0000
commitb77806b78f67527a3e025c6e3d8db0582cd40a63 (patch)
tree3a84501acdec58cdee9b8ac25ee551413386ad78
parent0931b43ed578cdbe1bbc5e79be808f40ee61d29d (diff)
downloademacs-b77806b78f67527a3e025c6e3d8db0582cd40a63.tar.gz
emacs-b77806b78f67527a3e025c6e3d8db0582cd40a63.zip
(Function Type): Clarify.
-rw-r--r--lispref/objects.texi19
1 files changed, 10 insertions, 9 deletions
diff --git a/lispref/objects.texi b/lispref/objects.texi
index 0c616bb856c..cfb3864e9c9 100644
--- a/lispref/objects.texi
+++ b/lispref/objects.texi
@@ -1195,18 +1195,19 @@ Hash tables have no read syntax, and print using hash notation.
1195@node Function Type 1195@node Function Type
1196@subsection Function Type 1196@subsection Function Type
1197 1197
1198 Just as functions in other programming languages are executable, 1198 Lisp functions are executable code, just like functions in other
1199@dfn{Lisp function} objects are pieces of executable code. However, 1199programming languages. In Lisp, unlike most languages, functions are
1200functions in Lisp are primarily Lisp objects, and only secondarily the 1200also Lisp objects. A non-compiled function in Lisp is a lambda
1201text which represents them. These Lisp objects are lambda expressions: 1201expression: that is, a list whose first element is the symbol
1202lists whose first element is the symbol @code{lambda} (@pxref{Lambda 1202@code{lambda} (@pxref{Lambda Expressions}).
1203Expressions}).
1204 1203
1205 In most programming languages, it is impossible to have a function 1204 In most programming languages, it is impossible to have a function
1206without a name. In Lisp, a function has no intrinsic name. A lambda 1205without a name. In Lisp, a function has no intrinsic name. A lambda
1207expression is also called an @dfn{anonymous function} (@pxref{Anonymous 1206expression can be called as a function even though it has no name; to
1208Functions}). A named function in Lisp is actually a symbol with a valid 1207emphasize this, we also call it an @dfn{anonymous function}
1209function in its function cell (@pxref{Defining Functions}). 1208(@pxref{Anonymous Functions}). A named function in Lisp is just a
1209symbol with a valid function in its function cell (@pxref{Defining
1210Functions}).
1210 1211
1211 Most of the time, functions are called when their names are written in 1212 Most of the time, functions are called when their names are written in
1212Lisp expressions in Lisp programs. However, you can construct or obtain 1213Lisp expressions in Lisp programs. However, you can construct or obtain