Large compiler refactoring

Erel · Aug 20, 2026

Just finished a large refactoring related to the way variables and parameters are handled internally. Zero effect on B4X code behavior, but will make it easier to introduce new features. More to come...

Peter Simpson · Aug 20, 2026

Excellent news @Erel , thank you...

mcqueccu · Aug 21, 2026

Erel said:
Just finished a large refactoring related to the way variables and parameters are handled internally. Zero effect on B4X code behavior, but will make it easier to introduce new features. More to come...

We can't wait....

virpalacios · Aug 21, 2026

Just Great News as Always

Erel · Aug 23, 2026

Alessandro71 · Aug 23, 2026

Default parameters?

Erel · Aug 23, 2026

Yes. Optional parameters.

Daestrum · Aug 23, 2026

Optional as needed on definition, not needed on call?

LucaMs · Aug 23, 2026

Erel said:
View attachment 173107

17
What did I win?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what other great new things like this there will be.

A naughty question: will CallSub and CallSubDelayed also be able to call Subs that have optional parameters?

byz · Aug 24, 2026

The anticipated reform. Does it imply that the intelligent evolution of the b4x ecosystem can be controlled through parameterization.

Erel · Aug 24, 2026

Daestrum said:
Optional as needed on definition, not needed on call?

Yes.

LucaMs said:
naughty question: will CallSub and CallSubDelayed also be able to call Subs that have optional parameters?

No. Optional parameters are set during compilation so dynamic calls must include all parameters.

Erel · Aug 24, 2026

Boring:

B4X:

Dim b() As Byte = "aaaa".GetBytes("UTF-8")
'''
Dim s As String = BytesToString(b, 0, b.Length, "UTF-8")

Not boring:

B4X:

Dim b() As Byte = "aaaa".GetBytes
'''
Dim s As String = BytesToString(b)

Alessandro71 · Aug 24, 2026

does this also means that it will be possible to call "Initialize" on a generic "Object" by using CallSub without knowing it's actual Class?

Erel · Aug 24, 2026

No. It has nothing to do with it. You should create a Factory class that instantiates new objects based on some parameter. More information in a new thread.

Alexander Stolte · Aug 24, 2026

Erel said:
Optional parameters

Erel · Aug 25, 2026

At last we can get rid of the unused "job name" parameter (it was important before the Wait For feature was implemented):

B4X:

Dim j As HttpJob
j.Initialize 'instead of j.Initialize("", Me)
j.Download(url)

B4X:

Public Sub Initialize (Name As String = "", TargetModule As Object = Me)

Alessandro71 · Aug 25, 2026

Erel said:
B4X:

Public Sub Initialize (Name As String = "", TargetModule As Object = Me)

so "Me" will be evaluated at run-time, not at compile time, like the "Name" parameter
"Me" will be set to the calling object not the object containing the Initialize sub.
is it a special case or it will be applied to all parameters?

Erel · Aug 25, 2026

The default values are set during compilation, not runtime.

Alessandro71 said:
"Me" will be set to the calling object not the object containing the Initialize sub.

True.

Alessandro71 said:
is it a special case or it will be applied to all parameters?

It is not a special case, though I assume that most default values will be of constant values.

Alessandro71 · Aug 25, 2026

Erel said:
The default values are set during compilation, not runtime.

it stills puzzles me, since actual Me values is unknown at compile time, but i'm fully confident about your work

Erel · Aug 25, 2026

B4X:

'class method
Public Sub Example(x As Object = Me, y As Int = 4)

'calling:
Object1.Example
'compiler completes it as if the code is:
Object1.Example(Me, 4)

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