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impl Blocks and Instance Methods

An impl block groups instance methods for a type. Each method receives self as its first parameter — the instance on which the method was called. Methods inside the same impl can call each other via self.method():

current() reads the field; doubled() calls current() to compose the result.

01-impl-block.zolo
Playground
// Feature: impl block — groups methods of a struct
// Syntax: `impl Type { fn method(self, ...) { ... } }`
// When to use: attach behavior to a type. Each impl block adds
// instance methods (which take `self`) or associated functions
// (no `self`, called via `Type::name(...)`).

struct Counter {
  value: int,
}

impl Counter {
  // Instance method: takes `self` as the first parameter.
  fn current(self) -> int {
    return self.value
  }
  // Another instance method — can call other methods on self.


  fn doubled(self) -> int {
    return self.current() * 2
  }
}

let c = Counter { value: 7 }
print(c.current())  // 7
print(c.doubled())  // 14
// expected:
// 7
// 14

Methods that return new values follow the immutable style: they compute and return a new instance without modifying the original. This makes reasoning about state easier:

scaled(factor) returns a new Rectangle — the instance r is unchanged.

02-instance-methods.zolo
Playground
// Feature: Instance methods — they use `self`
// Syntax: `fn method(self, args...) -> Ret { ... }`
// When to use: read/use instance data, or return a new modified
// instance (immutable style).

struct Rectangle {
  width: float,
  height: float,
}

impl Rectangle {
  fn area(self) -> float {
    return self.width * self.height
  }

  fn perimeter(self) -> float {
    return 2.0 * (self.width + self.height)
  }

  fn is_square(self) -> bool {
    return self.width == self.height
  }
  // Returns a NEW instance — functional immutable pattern.


  fn scaled(self, factor: float) -> Rectangle {
    return Rectangle { width: self.width * factor, height: self.height * factor }
  }
}

let r = Rectangle { width: 4.0, height: 5.0 }
print(r.area())  // 20
print(r.perimeter())  // 18
print(r.is_square())  // false

let big = r.scaled(2.0)
print(big.area())  // 80
// expected:
// 20
// 18
// false
// 80

When behavior needs to change state, assign directly to the field via self.field = new_value. The method can then return the resulting value or self itself:

increment() and add(n) mutate self.value and return the new value.

04-self-and-mutation.zolo
Playground
// Feature: `self` in methods — reading and mutating fields
// Syntax: `fn method(self, ...) { self.field = new_value }`
// When to use: read or directly modify the fields of the instance
// that received the call.

struct Counter {
  value: int,
}

impl Counter {
  fn new() -> Counter {
    return Counter { value: 0 }
  }
  // Direct mutation via self — updates the instance field.


  fn increment(self) -> int {
    self.value = self.value + 1
    return self.value
  }
  // Simple read.


  fn get(self) -> int {
    return self.value
  }

  fn add(self, n: int) -> int {
    self.value = self.value + n
    return self.value
  }
}

let c = Counter::new()
print(c.increment())  // 1
print(c.increment())  // 2
print(c.add(10))  // 12
print(c.get())  // 12
// expected:
// 1
// 2
// 12
// 12

Challenge

In 02-instance-methods.zolo, add a method with_height(h) that returns a new Rectangle with the original width but height h. Call it chained: r.scaled(2.0).with_height(1.0).area().

enespt-br