Variables¶

Global variables¶

Global variables are attached to modules. They are available from all the functions declared in the same module. Global variables do not need to be declared before use. The default value of a global variable is nil. It’s the default visibility for implicitly declared variables.

Example:

i = 15; // Declare and assign global variable i
println(i, j); // Use variable i and j. J is implicitly declared

Local variables¶

A local variable is only available in the block of code defining this variable and in blocks enclosed in this defining block. These blocks are called the scope of the variable. Local is the default visibility for:

• Parameters of functions
• Loop variables used in a for statement
• Loop variables used in an iterated function call
• Loop variables used in an iterated assignment
• Exception variable used in a try/catch clause.

Users can also introduced local variables with the local keyword. Introducing a local variable when a global variable with the same name is already defined will cause this name to be associated to the local variable in its visibility scope. Introducing a local variable when a local variable with the same name is already defined and visible from the current code block will throw an error. Thus, only one local variable with the same name is allowed for any scope in the program.

For example the following code will throw the error Variable 'i' already defined.:

function foo(i) {
    for [i in 1..10] print(i);
}

On the contrary the following code is valid since i=2 introduce i as a global variable which will merely be masked during the for statement:

function foo() {
    i = 2;
    for [i in 1..10]
        print(i); // the output will be 12345678910
    print(i); // the output will be 2
}

List of block structures that introduces a new scope for local variables:

• block statements { }
• if, else statements
• iterated assignment statements
• iterated function call
• try/catch statements
• for loops
• while, do-while loops

Memory management¶

Internally the modeler uses a reference counting mechanism to manage memory. Each value is associated to a reference counter. This counter is increased or decreased according to the operations performed on the value. When the reference counter reaches 0, the associated value is destroyed.

The reference counter is increased when:

• The value is associated to a local variable or a global variable
• The value is added to a map or associated to another native structure

The reference counter is decreased when:

• The previous assigned value is replaced by a new one
• The value is removed from a map or another native structure
• A local variable that contains the value is destroyed

This memory management is pretty simple and has the main advantage to be completely predictable. Unfortunately, this reference counting mechanism cannot handle reference cycles, i.e a value that refers directly or indirectly to itself. So if you have to deal with very big models, try to avoid cycles.