I recently learned that R has both lexical and dynamical scoping available, but that it uses lexical scope by default. The next case really confused me:
> x <- 1
> f <- function(y) { x + y }
> f(5) # we expect 6
[1] 6
> x <- 10
> f(5) # shouldn't we again expect 6?
[1] 15
Shouldn't f be evaluated using the environment where (and at the time!) it was defined and not where it was called ? How is this lexical scope? Thanks!
f <- function(y) { x + y }
was defined in the global environment and so for the parts not defined in the function itself (i.e.x), R looks to the global environment for them.
a=1
b=2
f<-function(x)
{
a*x + b
}
g<-function(x)
{
a=2
b=1
f(x)
}
# compare f(2) and g(2)
This example above is from here and gives a good discussion. Main point being, f() within g() ignores the definitions of a and b in g().
From the wiki on "Scope"
In object-oriented programming, dynamic dispatch selects an object method at runtime, though whether the actual name binding is done at compile time or run time depends on the language.