A method and computer program product is shown for use with a computer programming language having dynamic types and overloaded functions. A function data structure (a function handle) is constructed using a function name, which data structure contains or leads to information necessary to resolve function overloading, and also may lead to other auxiliary functions such as write, read or print. Application of the function data structure at the point of construction is functionally equivalent to application of a function name string. However, the function data structure may be applied without regard to the scope at the point of construction.