Multiple Dispatch

Definitions

1. A dispatch mechanism where the method to call is determined by the runtime types of all arguments, not just the receiver — central to Julia and available in Common Lisp (CLOS).

   In plain English: Instead of choosing which function to run based on just one object, the language looks at the types of all the inputs to pick the right version.

   Example: "In Julia, multiply(Matrix, Vector) and multiply(Scalar, Matrix) dispatch to completely different implementations."

Related Terms

• Algebraic Data Type
• Class
• Derived Type
• Discriminant
• Discriminated Union
• Dynamic Typing
• Trait
• Rust Trait
• Type Parameter