apply
type: function (subr) location: built-in source file: xlbfun.c Common LISP compatible: yes supported on: all machines
SYNTAX
(apply <function> <args> )
<function> - the function or symbol to be applied to <args>
<args> - a list that contains the arguments to be passed
to <function>
DESCRIPTION
APPLY causes <function> to be evaluated with <args> as the parameters. APPLY returns the result of <function>. <args> must be in the form of a list.
EXAMPLES
(defun my-add (x y) ; create MY-ADD function
(print "my add")
(+ x y))
(my-add 1 2) ; prints "my add" returns 3
(apply 'my-add '(2 4)) ; prints "my add" returns 6
(apply 'my-add 1 2) ; error: bad argument type
(apply 'my-add '(1 2 3)) ; error: too many arguments
(apply (function +) '(9 10)) ; returns 19
(apply '+ '(4 6)) ; returns 10
(apply 'print '("hello there")) ; prints/returns "hello there"
(apply 'print "hello there") ; error: bad argument type
NOTE: Note that when using APPLY to cause the evaluation of a system function, you can use the quoted name of the function (like 'PRINT in the examples). You can also use the actual function (like (FUNCTION +) in the examples).