A With block names an object once, then lets you reach its members with the short its\ prefix – so you don't repeat the variable on every line. It works for both Types and Elements.

With p
    its\name = "Dabz"     ' same as  p\name = "Dabz"
    its\hp   = 100
    its\x    = 50
    its\y    = 120
EndWith

its is the possessive pronoun – its\name reads as "its name", which is exactly what it is: a member of the block's subject.

its\ resolves anything the subject has – both fields and methods:

With enemy
    its\hp = its\hp - 10      ' read and write fields
    its\Describe()            ' call a method
EndWith

You can use its\ inside a string interpolation hole, just like any other expression:

With p
    Print "Spawned {$its\name} with {%its\hp} HP"
EndWith

With blocks nest. Inside a nested block, its\ always refers to the innermost subject:

With a
    its\x = 1                 ' a
    With b
        its\x = 2             ' b (innermost)
    EndWith
    its\y = 9                 ' a again
EndWith

Inside a Method the two never clash: this\ is the object the method belongs to, and its\ is the current With subject.

Method Attack(target:TEnemy)
    With target
        its\hp = its\hp - this\damage   ' its = target, this = the attacker
    EndWith
EndMethod

• The subject must be an object – a Type or Element variable, not a primitive (With on an Int is a compile-time error).
• With and EndWith generate no code of their own – the block is purely a shorthand; its\name compiles to exactly p\name.
• Every With needs a matching EndWith before the end of its function or method.
• its\ only has meaning inside a With block – using it outside one is a compile-time error.

• Open with With <object>, close with EndWith
• its\member is the block subject's field or method (reads as "its member")
• Works for Types and Elements; resolves fields and methods; usable in interpolation holes
• Nests – its\ binds to the innermost subject
• Inside a Method, this\ = the method's own object, its\ = the With subject

• Custom Types - the tracked object type
• Elements - value records (also work with With)
• Type Methods - the this\ keyword
• Variables & Data Types - string interpolation ({$its\name})

See With.bam for Types, Elements, method calls, interpolation and nesting all in one.

BambooBasic © 2026 Michael Denathorn