Run-time problem

P47 - Phrase applied to an incompatible kind of value

Most problems are detected when Inform translates the source text, but this is one of the exceptions, a "run-time problem" which emerges only during play.

When Inform is given one or more definitions for a phrase, and it is not clear in advance that these definitions apply to a particular situation, it has to check this during play. If it turns out that none of the available definitions can apply, this run-time problem is generated.

For instance, suppose the source defines: To greet (M - a man): ... and also To greet (W - a woman): ..., and also says: Before kissing someone (called the partner), greet the partner. And suppose the player then does something which the author didn't expect, by typing KISS FELIX, where Felix is a cat (an object of kind person, but neither a man nor a woman). Inform is then unable to apply greet correctly because neither definition can be applied the Felix's kind.