apply is a macro

Author: José Valim

lib/elixir/lib/kernel.ex

@@ -291,23 +291,6 @@ defmodule Kernel do
   """
   defmacro left !== right
 
-  @doc """
-  Returns an integer or float which is the arithmetical absolute value of `number`.
-
-  Allowed in guard tests.
-
-  ## Examples
-
-      iex> abs(-3.33)
-      3.33
-      iex> abs(-3)
-      3
-  """
-  @spec abs(number) :: number
-  def abs(number) do
-    :erlang.abs(number)
-  end
-
   @doc """
   Invokes the given `fun` with the array of arguments `args`.
 
@@ -317,10 +300,7 @@ defmodule Kernel do
       4
 
   """
-  @spec apply((... -> any), list) :: term
-  def apply(fun, args) do
-    :erlang.apply(fun, args)
-  end
+  defmacro apply(fun, args)
 
   @doc """
   Invokes the given `fun` from `module` with the array of arguments `args`.
@@ -331,9 +311,23 @@ defmodule Kernel do
       [3,2,1]
 
   """
-  @spec apply(atom, atom, list) :: term
-  def apply(module, fun, args) do
-    :erlang.apply(module, fun, args)
+  defmacro apply(module, fun, args)
+
+  @doc """
+  Returns an integer or float which is the arithmetical absolute value of `number`.
+
+  Allowed in guard tests.
+
+  ## Examples
+
+      iex> abs(-3.33)
+      3.33
+      iex> abs(-3)
+      3
+  """
+  @spec abs(number) :: number
+  def abs(number) do
+    :erlang.abs(number)
   end
 
   @doc """
@@ -1018,7 +1012,7 @@ defmodule Kernel do
 
   ## Examples
 
-      iex> round(5.5) 
+      iex> round(5.5)
       6
 
   """
@@ -1458,7 +1452,7 @@ defmodule Kernel do
   where the last line is a quoted representation of
 
        [bar: nil | integer]
-    
+
   ## Documentation
 
   By default records are not documented and have `@moduledoc` set to false.