Update build scripts. Add functor/singleton doc.

functor_singleton/README.md

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+# Singleton class decorator
+
+A singleton is a class which has only one instance. IT gurus debate whether
+they should be used, mainly on the grounds that project aims can change: a need
+for multiple instances may arise later. I would argue that singleton classes
+have merit in defining interfaces to hardware objects. You can be sure that
+(for example) a Pyboard D will only have one RTC instance.
+
+The advantage of a singleton is that it removes the need for a global instance
+or for passing an instance between functions. The sole instance is retrieved at
+any point in the code using constructor call syntax.
+
+```python
+def singleton(cls):
+    instance = None
+    def getinstance(*args, **kwargs):
+        nonlocal instance
+        if instance is None:
+            instance = cls(*args, **kwargs)
+        return instance
+    return getinstance
+
+@singleton
+class MySingleton:
+    def __init__(self, arg):
+        self.state = arg
+        print('In __init__', arg)
+
+    def foo(self, arg):
+        print('In foo', arg + self.state)
+
+ms = MySingleton(42)  # prints 'In __init__ 42'
+x = MySingleton()  # No output: assign existing instance to x
+x.foo(5)  # prints 'In foo 47': original state + 5
+```
+The first instantiation sets the object's initial state. Thereafter
+'instantiations' retrieve the original object.
+
+There are other ways of achieving singletons. One is to define a (notionally
+private) class in a module. The module API contains an access function. There
+is a private instance, initially `None`. The function checks if the instance is
+`None`. If so it instantiates the object and assigns it to the instance. In all
+cases it returns the instance.
+
+Both have similar logic. The decorator avoids the need for a separate module.
+
+# Functor class decorator
+
+The term "functor" derives from "function constructor". It is a function-like
+object which can retain state. Like singletons the aim is to avoid globals: the
+state is contained in the functor instance.
+
+```python
+def functor(cls):
+    instance = None
+    def getinstance(*args, **kwargs):
+        nonlocal instance
+        if instance is None:
+            instance = cls(*args, **kwargs)
+            return instance
+        return instance(*args, **kwargs)
+    return getinstance
+
+@functor
+class MyFunctor:
+    def __init__(self, arg):
+        self.state = arg
+        print('In __init__', arg)
+
+    def __call__(self, arg):
+        print('In __call__', arg + self.state)
+
+MyFunctor(42)  # prints 'In __init__ 42'
+MyFunctor(5)  # 'In __call__ 47'
+```
+A use case is in asynchronous programming. The constructor launches a task:
+this will only occur once. Subsequent calls might alter the behaviour of that
+task. An example may be found
+[in the Latency class](https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-async/blob/master/lowpower/rtc_time.py).

functor_singleton/examples.py

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+def functor(cls):
+    instance = None
+    def getinstance(*args, **kwargs):
+        nonlocal instance
+        if instance is None:
+            instance = cls(*args, **kwargs)
+            return instance
+        return instance(*args, **kwargs)
+    return getinstance
+
+def singleton(cls):
+    instance = None
+    def getinstance(*args, **kwargs):
+        nonlocal instance
+        if instance is None:
+            instance = cls(*args, **kwargs)
+        return instance
+    return getinstance
+
+@singleton
+class MySingleton:
+    def __init__(self, arg):
+        self.state = arg
+        print('In __init__', arg)
+
+    def foo(self, arg):
+        print('In foo', arg + self.state)
+
+ms = MySingleton(42)  # prints 'In __init__ 42'
+a = MySingleton(99)  # No output: assign existing instance to a
+a.foo(5)  # prints 'In foo 47': original state + 5
+
+
+@functor
+class MyFunctor:
+    def __init__(self, arg):
+        self.state = arg
+        print('In __init__', arg)
+
+    def __call__(self, arg):
+        print('In __call__', arg + self.state)
+
+MyFunctor(42)  # prints 'In __init__ 42'
+MyFunctor(5)  # 'In __call__ 47'