On 4/25/2012 1:07, Invisible wrote:
> C and C++ have function pointers. It's dubious whether functions are "first
> class", but certainly you can pass them as arguments.

Given that the only levels of context in C is "global" and "auto", one could 
even argue that a function pointer in C is actually a closure, as it 
succeeds in capturing every variable in the scope of the function. ;-)

> C# presumably allows /everything/.

Not sure what that means. You *can* create functions on the fly in C#, so 
yeah, I don't think there's much you can't do with enough work.

> Java allows you to use the reflection API to create an object that
> represents a function method, and to invoke that method. Alternatively you
> can use anonymous inner classes. (The fact that this feature even /exists/
> tells you how badly Java programmers want anonymous functions.)

Anonymous inner classes aren't functions. They're classes you instantiate.

> Eiffel? Well, they have "delegates", which are sort-of the same thing.

I'm not sure what's "sort of" about them. You can create a new function, 
create a delegate to it, assign it to a variable, send it over a network 
connection, and invoke the function.

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   "Oh no! We're out of code juice!"
   "Don't panic. There's beans and filters
    in the cabinet."

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