Has the conventional meaning, generalized to an expression language -- evaluate the first expression (the attempt), but, no matter how it exits, evaluate the second expression (the unwinder) before exiting the finally expression.
If the unwinder exits normally, then the outcome of the finally expression is the outcome of the attempt, no matter whether this outcome is a normal evaluation to a value or a non-local exit. The value of the unwinder is unused. If the unwinder performs a non-local exit, whether an ejection or a throw, then the outcome of the finally expression is the unwinder's outcome. We say the unwinder's outcome substitutes for the attempt's outcome. Note that sudden vat destruction is not, whether intended or not, considered a form of exit of computation in the vat. Therefore, if the attempt suddenly destroys its hosting vat, unwinders are not run before the destruction occurs. The attempt and unwinder are each in their own scope box. |
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