When an expression is not in a value context, it is given type Void. For example, in the expression
r := (a; b; if c then d else e; f)
values are used only from the subexpressions c and f: all others are thrown away. The subexpressions a, b, d and e are evaluated for side-effects only and have type Void. There is a unique value of type Void.
You will most often see results of type Void when you declare a variable.
a : Integer
Type: Void
Usually no output is displayed for Void results. You can force the display of a rather ugly object by issuing
)set message void on
b : Fraction Integer
Type: Void
)set message void off
All values can be converted to type Void.
3::Void
Type: Void
Once a value has been converted to Void, it cannot be recovered.
% :: PositiveInteger
Cannot convert from type Void to PositiveInteger for value "()"
See Also: