Object and Value Definitions

From ftm

The ftm.object external can be used to statically defin and name FTM objects, variables and constants. The graphical external has two text fields. The object or value definition is entered into the left text field. In right field, a name can be given to the defined FTM object, constant or variable. The name can be used in FTM expressions using the '$'-syntax.

Additional properties such as the scope of the object's name are defined in the inspector of the external.

FTM Object Definitions

For statically defining an FTM object with the ftm.object external the following syntax is required:

  • <sym: class name> <list: instantiation arguments> [ , <list: initialization message> ... ]

The following example defines a floating-point matrix (fmat class) named myfmat and initializes it with random values:

definition of a floating-point matrix (fmat class) named myfmat initialized with random values
definition of a floating-point matrix (fmat class) named myfmat initialized with random values

Constant Definitions

Constants can be defined with the ftm.object external using the const keyword:

  • [ <'const'> ] <any: constant value>

For numeric constants the const keyword can be left out.

definition of pi as an FTM constant and a symbol constant named label
definition of pi as an FTM constant and a symbol constant named label

Variable Definitions

To define FTM variables the keyword var is used as first argument in the ftm.object external:

  • <'var'> [ <any: initial variable value> ]

When no initial value is given, the variable is initialized to 0.

definition of variables initialized to different values
definition of variables initialized to different values