inline

programming (Or "unfold") To replace a function call with

an instance of the function's body. Actual argument

expressions are substituted for formal parameters as in

beta reduction. Inlining is usually done as a

compile-time transformation.

If done recklessly (e.g. attempting to inline a recursive

function) the compiler will fail to terminate. If done

over-enthusiastically the code size may increase

exponentially, e.g. if function f calls g twice, and g calls h

twice and h is inlined in g which is inlined in f (in either

order) then there will be four copies of h's body in f.

See also linear argument, unfold/fold.

(1994-11-03)