[BioC] equivalent of $this

[TEXTORIS Julien]

Hi,

when programming with R and objects, when you describe a new class or 
method, does $this or an equivalent exists ? Sometimes, there is :

function(Object) (So Object is something equivalent to $this ?)
function(.Object) (and .Object too ?)
function(x,i,j,...) (and in this case x was equivalent to $this)


I saw the last case in a redifinition of an existing method for the new 
object created by myclass, and if i understand well, if a generic 
function was first described with function(x,i,j,...) one will reutilize 
it, instead, if it's a new function, one will use Object or either .Object ?

Is that true ?

thanks

Julien