Unlike
declare
,
proclaim
is a function that parses the declarations in the list (usually a quoted list), and puts their semantics and advice into global effect. This can be useful when compiling a file for speedy execution, since a proclamation such as:
(proclaim '(optimize (speed 3) (space 0) (debug 0)))
means the rest of the file is compiled with these optimization levels in effect. (The other way of doing this is to make appropriate declarations in every function in the file).
See the LispWorks User Guide for a more extended description.
(proclaim '(special *fred*))
(proclaim '(type single-float x y z))
(proclaim '(optimize (safety 0) (speed 3)))
As
proclaim
involves parsing a list of lists of symbols and is intended to be used a few times per file, its implementation is not optimized for speed -- it makes little sense to use it other than at top level.
Remember to quote the argument list if it is a constant list.
(proclaim (special x))
attempts to call function
special
.
Exercise caution if you declare or proclaim variables to be special without regard to the naming convention that surrounds their names with asterisks.