3.2.4 Methods

The definition of a new method of an MDL class starts with the name of the method followed by a list of MDL expressions enclosed in braces.

methodname {
   expression_list
}

There are two reserved names for methods which are used for the construction and destruction of MDL class instances by the MDL interpreter:

• The construct method is executed by the MDL interpreter when a new instance of the MDL class is generated. At the beginning of the evaluation of the constructor method, all interface and local parameters are set to their initial values.
• The destruct method is called when the simulator deletes the MDL class instance. Only local parameters are guaranteed to have the values used during the last method call of the concerned MDL class instance.

By convention the main algorithm of the MDL class should be coded into the evaluate method. Optional initializations which require interface parameters to be forwarded to or returned by the MDL class instance are subject to the initialize method.

An MDL method with the name methodname is execute by stating the following MDL expression within any method definition belonging to that class:

call methodname ;