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| Subtypes of this define "is_lt(T):BOOL and is_eq($OB)". Typically used in typecases. Examples: INT < $IS_LT{INT}, STR < $IS_LT{INT}.
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Design Note: $IS_LT has the type parameter since objects are almost always comparable only with the same type. With the new rules, if is_lt were defined on e: $OB, then we would have to find some meaning for < with arbitrary objects. (you can't just return false - that makes > be true!). Hence, objects will only define comparisons with themselves while the container classes can switch on $IS_LT{T} and then use the SYS::is_lt when the contained objects are not directly comparable
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