-- File:	Dynamic_Variable.cdl
-- Created:	Wed Aug 24 09:59:22 1994
-- Author:	Gilles DEBARBOUILLE
--		<gde@watson>
---Copyright:	 Matra Datavision 1994


class Variable from Dynamic
inherits

    TShared from MMgt
    

	---Purpose: This  class   is the  root   class for  describing
	--          variables.  A   variable is useful to  specify the
	--          signature of a method in terms of arguments and if
	--          necessary variables and/or constants needed inside
	--          a  function.   This  set  of information defines a
	--          scope for  these variables. This class is directly
	--          used   by  the MethodDefinition class.   From this
	--          class is  derived the instances of variables which
	--          are used by the  classes under the  MethodInstance
	--          class. A variable is composed by :
	--          
	--          * an identifier for giving it a name,
	--          * a type of expected value,
	--          * possibly a default value,
	--          * a mode which explains if the variable is :
	--          
	--            - an input and/or output argument to the method,
	--            - an internal or  constant variable used in  the
	--            body of the method.

uses

    OStream from Standard,
    Parameter from Dynamic,
    ModeEnum  from Dynamic 
    

is

    Create returns mutable Variable from Dynamic;
    
    ---Level: Advanced 
    
    ---Purpose: Creates and returns an empty instance of this class.
    
    Parameter(me : mutable ; aparameter : Parameter from Dynamic)
    
    ---Level: Advanced 
    
    ---Purpose: Sets  the   parameter  <aparameter>   in  <me>.   This
    --          parameter gives the name,  the  type of value, and  if
    --          necessary the default value of the variable.
    
    is static;
    
    Parameter(me) returns any Parameter from Dynamic
    
    ---Level: Advanced 
    
    ---Purpose: Returns the parameter stored in <me>.
    
    is static;
    
    Mode(me : mutable ; amode : ModeEnum from Dynamic)
    
    ---Level: Advanced 
    
    ---Purpose: Sets the mode to the variable. the  mode is to take in
    --          the enumeration  IN,  OUT, INOUT,  INTERNAL, CONSTANT,
    --          which describes the type of the variable.
    
    is static;
    
    Mode(me) returns ModeEnum from Dynamic
    
    ---Level: Advanced 
    
    ---Purpose: Returns the mode of the variable.
    
    is static;
    
    Dump(me; astream : in out OStream from Standard);

    ---Level: Internal 
    
    ---Purpose: Useful for debugging.
    
fields

    theparameter    : Parameter from Dynamic;
    themode         : ModeEnum  from Dynamic;

end Variable;