// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
// - Promise.hpp                                                             -
// - afnix engine - promise class definition                                 -
// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
// - This program is free software;  you can redistribute it  and/or  modify -
// - it provided that this copyright notice is kept intact.                  -
// -                                                                         -
// - This program  is  distributed in  the hope  that it will be useful, but -
// - without  any  warranty;  without  even   the   implied    warranty   of -
// - merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  In no event shall -
// - the copyright holder be liable for any  direct, indirect, incidental or -
// - special damages arising in any way out of the use of this software.     -
// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
// - copyright (c) 1999-2006 amaury darsch                                   -
// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

#ifndef  AFNIX_PROMISE_HPP
#define  AFNIX_PROMISE_HPP

#ifndef  AFNIX_OBJECT_HPP
#include "Object.hpp"
#endif

namespace afnix {

  /// The Promise class is the object used to performed delayed evaluation.
  /// When the promised object is created, the form is stored for that object
  /// until a call to force the evalutaion is made. When the evaluation has 
  /// been made, the evaluated object is returned.
  /// @author amaury darsch

  class Promise : public Object {
  private:
    /// the promise form
    Object* p_form;
    /// the evaluated object
    Object* p_object;
    /// the flag for the delay
    bool d_delay;

  public:
    /// create a new promise with a form
    /// @param form the promised form
    Promise (Object* form);

    /// destroy this promise
    ~Promise (void);

    /// @return the class name
    String repr (void) const;

    /// make this promise a shared object
    void mksho (void);

  private:
    // make the copy constructor private
    Promise (const Promise&);
    // make the assignment operator private
    Promise& operator = (const Promise&);

  public:
    /// force the evaluation of this promise
    /// @param robj the current runnable
    /// @param nset the current nameset
    Object* force (Runnable* robj, Nameset* nset);

    /// evaluate this promise according to the delay flag
    /// @param robj the current runnable
    /// @param nset the current nameset
    Object* eval (Runnable* robj, Nameset* nset);
  };
}

#endif
