Terminology for Generics
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Terminology used to describe generics is defined in this section.
Type generic |
A type declaration that requires type parameters to be supplied in order to form an actual type. type List<Item> = class ... end; |
Generic |
Same as Type generic. |
Type parameter |
A parameter declared in a generic declaration or a method header in order to use as a type for another declaration inside its generic declaration or the method body. It will be bound to a particular type argument. type List<Item> = class ... end; |
Type argument |
A particular type used with a type identifier in order to make an instantiated type. Using the previous example, |
Instantiated type |
The combination of a generic with a set of parameters. |
Constructed type |
Same as instantiated type. |
Closed constructed type |
A constructed type having all its parameters resolved to actual types. |
Open constructed type |
A constructed type having at least one parameter that is a type parameter. If |
Instantiation |
The compiler generates real instruction code for methods defined in generics and real virtual method table for a closed constructed type. This process is required before emitting a Delphi compiled unit file (.dcu) or object file (.obj) for Win32. |