Go to the first, previous, next, last section, table of contents.


Supercalls

Thinking in mathematical or computer terms, a concept is a "function" that operates on an "argument". That argument is a call, or perhaps another application of a concept to another argument. For example, in `tandem lockit', the function `tandem' applies to the argument `lockit'.

Calls of the `clover and [anything]' variety behave the same way. This call takes an "argument" call, and has the centers do that while the outsides cloverleaf. Such a thing is called a "supercall". It could just as easily have been considered a concept.

The significance of this is that some concepts, called "meta-concepts", operate on concepts rather than on calls or concept-call combinations. Examples of meta-concepts are `random', `initially', `finally', and `echo'. Since supercalls are like concepts, meta-concepts can operate on them.

What would happen if we applied the `finally' concept to the supercall combination `clover and [right and left thru]'? We do the `right and left thru' without the "concept" up until the last part. The "concept" is `clover and [anything]'. If we skip the concept, we just do the `right and left thru' up to the last part. That is, we do a right pull by. Then, for the last part, which is a courtesy turn, we apply the supercall. That is, we do a `clover and [courtesy turn]'. So `finally clover and [right and left thru]' is danced as:

   right pull by
   clover and [courtesy turn]

Sd can handle straightforward cases of supercalls with meta-concepts. You must enter the supercall in the square bracket notation. That is, you may not use the method of typing <anything> and expecting to type in the second call later.

Because the search mechanism (pick random call, etc.) does not fill in subcalls, it will not find applications of meta-concepts and supercalls. Sorry.

Some supercalls take their "argument" call at the beginning of the phrase rather than the end, as in `[anything] and roll'. Such supercalls don't scan very tastefully. For example, `echo [hinge] and roll' means that the "and roll" is applied first, even though it is at the end of the phrase. We do a `[hinge] and roll' first, and then just a `hinge'. The word order doesn't make that clear.

Supercalls in which the `[anything]' call is at the end, like `busy [anything]', `transfer and [anything]', `eight by [anything]', and `dodge [anything]' are much more likely to be executed successfully.


Go to the first, previous, next, last section, table of contents.