brainstorming mode on the new way (tm)

lib/virtual/method.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+module Virtual
+  # static description of a method
+  # name
+  # args (with defaults)
+  # code
+  # return arg (usually mystery, but for coded ones can be more specific)
+  # known local variable names
+  # temp variables (numbered)
+  #
+  class Method
+    #return the main function (the top level) into which code is compiled
+    def Method.main
+      Method.new(:main)
+    end
+    def initialize name , args = []
+      @name = name
+      @args = args
+      @locals = []
+      @start = MethodEnter.new
+      @current = @start
+    end
+    attr_reader :name
+
+    def add instruction
+      @current.next = instruction
+      @current = instruction
+    end
+
+    # determine whether this method has a variable by the given name
+    # variables are locals and and arguments
+    # used to determine if a send must be issued 
+    def has_var name
+      var = @args.find {|a| a == name }
+      var = @locals.find {|a| a == name } unless var
+      var
+    end
+  end
+end