PrF UG meta metaclass create - Revision history

RichMorin at 01:26, November 14, 2008

2008-11-14T01:26:48Z

RichMorin at 23:43, October 24, 2008

2008-10-24T23:43:33Z

RichMorin at 18:50, October 16, 2008

2008-10-16T18:50:22Z

RichMorin: Automated import of articles

2008-10-09T09:03:15Z

Automated import of articles

New page

__NOTOC__
== Creating a Metaclass ==

{{PrF_UG_TOC_meta}}<div id='prf_ug'>

Despite the power of metaclasses,
their basic interface is very simple.
Creating a metaclass is almost identical to creating a class.
You simply have to make sure that the class is created subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
Every metaclass is subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
By default,
every class subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b> is a metaclass,
unless you change it.

Most often,
it is desirable to create a metaclass subordinate to <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b>,
so that the classes created using the metaclass will have the various properties defined by the <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b> slots.
Without these properties,
you cannot name the class or add template slots.

To create a new class as a metaclass:

<ol class='a'>
<li><p>
Click on the desired superclass in the Class Browser.
The selected superclass must itself be a metaclass.
As mentioned above,
this will be true only if the selected superclass is subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.

</p><p> <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_select_standard_class.png|metaclasses_select_standard_class]]</div>
</p>

<li><p>
Click the <b>Create Class</b>
[[Image:PrF_UG_classes_class.create.gif|classes_class.create]]
button,
at the right of the Class Browser.
The new class will be added under the highlighted class.
It will inherit the properties of the selected metaclass,
including any template slots.

</p><p> <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_create_wines_metaclass.png|metaclasses_create_wines_metaclass]]</div>
</p>

<li><p>
Use the
[[PrF_UG_classes_class_editor|Class Editor]]
to name the class,
create constraints,
and attach and edit template slots.
Remember that the template slots you attach to the metaclass appear as entry fields on the Class Editor for the classes you create using this metaclass.
For example,
the <b>:NAME</b> slot for <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b> becomes the <b>Name</b> entry field when you create a class.
In the Wineries example,
there is an additional slot named <i>best_wineries</i>.

</p><p> <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_metaclass_editor.png|metaclasses_metaclass_editor]]</div>
</p>
</ol>

</div>

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 == Creating a Metaclass ==
-{{PrF_UG_TOC_meta}}<div id='prf_ug'>
+<noinclude>{{PrF_UG_TOC_meta}}<div id='prf_ug'></noinclude>
 Despite the power of metaclasses, their basic interface is very simple.
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
-</div>
+<noinclude></div></noinclude>

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
      is subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
      </p>
-     <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_select_standard_class.png|
+     <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_select_standard_class.png|frame|none|
-            metaclasses_select_standard_class]]</div>
+            Class Browser, ":STANDARD-CLASS" selected]]</div>
    <li><p>
      Click the <b>Create Class</b>
-     [[Image:PrF_UG_classes_class.create.gif|classes_class.create]] button,
+     ([[Image:PrF_UG_classes_class.create.gif|classes_class.create]]) button,
      at the right of the Class Browser.
      The new class will be added under the highlighted class.
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
      including any template slots.
      </p>
-     <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_create_wines_metaclass.png|
+     <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_create_wines_metaclass.png|frame|none|
-            metaclasses_create_wines_metaclass]]</div>
+            Class Browser, "wines_Class_0" selected]]</div>
    <li><p>
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
      there is an additional slot named <i>best_wineries</i>.
      </p>
-     <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_metaclass_editor.png|
+     <div>[[Image:PrF_UG_meta_metaclass_editor.png|frame|none|
-            metaclasses_metaclass_editor]]</div>
+            wines_Class_0 instance dialog]]</div>
 </ol>
 </div>

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 {{PrF_UG_TOC_meta}}<div id='prf_ug'>
-Despite the power of metaclasses,
+Despite the power of metaclasses, their basic interface is very simple.
 Creating a metaclass is almost identical to creating a class.
 You simply have to make sure that the class is created subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
 Every metaclass is subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
-By default,
+By default, every class subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b> is a metaclass,
 unless you change it.
-Most often,
+Most often, it is desirable to create a metaclass subordinate to <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b>,
-it is desirable to create a metaclass subordinate to <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b>,
+so that the classes created using the metaclass will have the various properties defined
-so that the classes created using the metaclass will have the various properties defined by the <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b> slots.
+by the <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b> slots.
-Without these properties,
+Without these properties, you cannot name the class or add template slots.
 To create a new class as a metaclass:
@@ Line 25: / Line 22: @@
      Click on the desired superclass in the Class Browser.
      The selected superclass must itself be a metaclass.
-     As mentioned above,
+     As mentioned above, this will be true only if the selected superclass
-    this will be true only if the selected superclass is subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
+    is subordinate to <b>:CLASS</b>.
      </p>
    <li><p>
      Click the <b>Create Class</b>
-     [[Image:PrF_UG_classes_class.create.gif|classes_class.create]]
+     [[Image:PrF_UG_classes_class.create.gif|classes_class.create]] button,
      at the right of the Class Browser.
      The new class will be added under the highlighted class.
      It will inherit the properties of the selected metaclass,
      including any template slots.
      </p>
    <li><p>
-     Use the
+     Use the [[PrF_UG_classes_class_editor|Class Editor]]
-    [[PrF_UG_classes_class_editor|Class Editor]]
+     to name the class, create constraints, and attach and edit template slots.
-     to name the class,
+     Remember that the template slots you attach to the metaclass
-    create constraints,
+    appear as entry fields on the Class Editor
-    and attach and edit template slots.
+    for the classes you create using this metaclass.
-     Remember that the template slots you attach to the metaclass appear as entry fields on the Class Editor for the classes you create using this metaclass.
+     For example, the <b>:NAME</b> slot for <b>:STANDARD-CLASS</b>
-     For example,
+    becomes the <b>Name</b> entry field when you create a class.
      In the Wineries example,
      there is an additional slot named <i>best_wineries</i>.
      </p>
 </ol>
 </div>