(octave.info)Function Precedence

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11.9.7 Function Precedence
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Given the numerous different ways that Octave can define a function, it
is possible and even likely that multiple versions of a function, might
be defined within a particular scope.  The precedence of which function
will be used within a particular scope is given by

  1. Subfunction A subfunction with the required function name in the
     given scope.

  2. Private function A function defined within a private directory of
     the directory which contains the current function.

  3. Class constructor A function that constructs a user class as
     defined in chapter Note: Object Oriented Programming.

  4. Class method An overloaded function of a class as in chapter Note:
     Object Oriented Programming.

  5. Command-line Function A function that has been defined on the
     command-line.

  6. Autoload function A function that is marked as autoloaded with
     Note: autoload.

  7. A Function on the Path A function that can be found on the users
     load-path.  There can also be Oct-file, mex-file or m-file versions
     of this function and the precedence between these versions are in
     that order.

  8. Built-in function A function that is a part of core Octave such as
     ‘numel’, ‘size’, etc.