Ross Bamford wrote: > On Tue, 06 Dec 2005 02:10:51 -0000, Trans <transfire / gmail.com> wrote: > > >> ... singleton methods, or adhoc methods (my new prefered > > term). > > I know I'm new, but humour me if you will ? > > Firstly, what's wrong with 'singleton'? It seems to me that it fits well, > and makes the usage obvious to the reader (well, me, but I assume others > too?). There has been much discussion about this. The problem with the term singleton is that it clashes with singleton design pattern, which is something different altogether. B/c of this much discussion has been given to finding a better term. Now, The original term I believe was "virtual class", indeed you will still find an error or two in core that uses that phrase. I'm not sure you will find the term "singleton" anywhere in the source though. Also the the term "metaclass" was used when the context is of a class' or module's singleton class. But metaclass fell out of favor --I think b/c matz said he didn't like it. So "singleton" came along to sort of fill the void, not so much for its particular merits, but more for the lack of something better. Also I point out we have other terms that can cause confusion, although they too refer to the same thing just in a particular usage, namely "class methods" and "module methods". About a year ago, I was having to decide what term to use in Facets, I included the ususal fair but wan't happy about having to have so many methods all for the same thing. So I tried to find a more suitable term that we all could generally agree on. I've tried out a few ideas, but none of them really worked. Around that time _why the lucky stiff came up with the term "eigenclass", and that has had some sticking power, no doubt in part due to the ingenius humor he can bring to things. I think it a fairly good term, and I think we should keep using it and even get a bit more serious about it, tough obviously it still lacks in certain respects. I had all but given up on finding a better term until I accidently came acrosss "ad hoc". And I've actually been surprised and delighted at just how well that term works. > Secondly, 'Ad-hoc' seems to be a really odd choice to me. I am > aware that it can be taken to mean 'Specific to a given problem', but it > is also defined along the lines of 'impromtu', 'temporary' or > 'disorganized'. Science uses it to mean a quick fix for a flawed theory. > Upon seeing the word ad-hoc I tend to imagine 'jury rigged' - stuck > together with duct tape to last us out the storm. You see that's not the actual definition of the term. That's more of the vague understanding one gathers from not actually knowing the meaning. Although that vague idea has become widespread enough to be acknolwedged, it is still a secondary usage. I understand where you're coming from though, b/c I thought much the same way until I had used the word inproperly and my Grandmother corrected me. I wasn't so sure, so we looked it up in the dictionary and sure enough she was right. The definition is quite clear. From Websters (and others): Main Entry: 1ad hoc Pronunciation: 'ad-'hçÌ, -'hOk; 'çÅ-'hOk Function: adverb Etymology: Latin, for this : for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application That's how I realized the term would make a good fit. > Indeed, someone given to 'adhocism' (IMHO an awful word) > exhibits 'the tendency to use temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with > a particular problem'. I wouldn't want my solutions to be seen as > 'temporary' or 'provisional', whether tailor-made or otherwise. Yep, "adhocism" is a bad term, it's fairly recent, hardly known, and really a misuse of the term adhoc. One gets this shade of meaning from applying the term to a particular *moment* --its the purpose itself that is temporary or provisional, not the "for" of it. > I'm sure this is an ongoing debate, and I don't want to tread on any > beliefs, but I just thought I'd offer a perspective from a fresh pair of > eyes. Is there a serious movement to replace 'singleton'? I did a survey once and people's opinions are all over the map. I personaly would like to see a solid term. I think 'adhoc' works well becuase it is small, ponient and has the added advantage (which none of the other choices have) of being an adverb, so it has very flexible usage. I guess my end preference to all this is that we migrate to the terms 'adhoc' and 'eigenclass' as is suitable. But I think this will happen naturally if the terms work. T.