rhai/doc/src/patterns/multi-layer.md
2020-10-07 12:11:25 +08:00

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Multi-Layer Functions
=====================
{{#include ../links.md}}
Usage Scenario
--------------
* A system is divided into separate _layers_, each providing logic in terms of scripted [functions].
* A lower layer provides _default implementations_ of certain functions.
* Higher layers each provide progressively more specific implementations of the same functions.
* A more specific function, if defined in a higher layer, always overrides the implementation in a lower layer.
* This is akin to object-oriented programming but with functions.
* This type of system is extremely convenient for dynamic business rules configuration, setting corporate-wide
policies, granting permissions for specific roles etc. where specific, local rules need to override
corporate-wide defaults.
Key Concepts
------------
* Each layer is a separate script.
* The lowest layer script is compiled into a base [`AST`].
* Higher layer scripts are also compiled into [`AST`] and _combined_ into the base using `AST::combine`
(or the `+=` operator), overriding any existing functions.
Examples
--------
Assume the following four scripts:
```rust
----------------
| default.rhai |
----------------
// Default implementation of 'foo'.
fn foo(x) { x + 1 }
// Default implementation of 'bar'.
fn bar(x, y) { x + y }
// Default implementation of 'no_touch'.
fn no_touch() { throw "do not touch me!"; }
---------------
| lowest.rhai |
---------------
// Specific implementation of 'foo'.
fn foo(x) { x * 2 }
// New implementation for this layer.
fn baz() { print("hello!"); }
---------------
| middle.rhai |
---------------
// Specific implementation of 'bar'.
fn bar(x, y) { x - y }
// Specific implementation of 'baz'.
fn baz() { print("hey!"); }
----------------
| highest.rhai |
----------------
// Specific implementation of 'foo'.
fn foo(x) { x + 42 }
```
Load and combine them sequentially:
```rust
let engine = Engine::new();
// Compile the baseline default implementations.
let mut ast = engine.compile_file("default.rhai".into())?;
// Combine the first layer.
let lowest = engine.compile_file("lowest.rhai".into())?;
ast += lowest;
// Combine the second layer.
let middle = engine.compile_file("middle.rhai".into())?;
ast += lowest;
// Combine the third layer.
let highest = engine.compile_file("highest.rhai".into())?;
ast += lowest;
// Now, 'ast' contains the following functions:
//
// fn no_touch() { // from 'default.rhai'
// throw "do not touch me!";
// }
// fn foo(x) { x + 42 } // from 'highest.rhai'
// fn bar(x, y) { x - y } // from 'middle.rhai'
// fn baz() { print("hey!"); } // from 'middle.rhai'
```
Unfortunately, there is no `super` call that calls the base implementation
(i.e. no way for a higher-layer function to call an equivalent lower-layer function).