create_module(+Module, ++Exports, ++Imports)

Module

Atom.

Exports

A list of export specifications as in export/1

Imports

An atom or a list of atoms

Description

Once the module is created, the module (or list of modules) given as Imports is imported.

The list Exports must contain valid export specifications as described in export/1. It defines the initial part of the module's interface, subsequent export and reexport directives can add to that.

Note that modules are normally created by the compiler when it encounters a module/1 or module/3 directive. The create_module/3 predicate however creates modules dynamically at runtime. The intended applications are therefore mainly source processing tools, e.g. compilers and loaders, or programs that need a clean name space to store code and data.

The system does not allow the atom [] to be used as a module name! If [] is given as the Imports argument, it indicates the empty list, rather than a module with name [].

Modes and Determinism

• create_module(+, ++, ++) is det

Exceptions

(4) instantiation fault

Module, Imports or Exports is not instantiated.

(5) type error

Module is not an atom, or Module is the atom [].

(5) type error

Imports is not an atom or list of atoms.

(5) type error

Exports is not a list of exportable items.

(97) module already exists

Module already exists.

Examples

Success:
    [eclipse 1]: create_module(m, [data/1], []).
    yes.
    [eclipse 2]: compile_term(data(99))@m.
    yes.
    [eclipse 3]: m:data(X).

    X = 99
    yes.
    [eclipse 4]: erase_module(m).
    yes.

Error:
    create_module(M, [], []).                (Error 4).
    create_module(m, _, _).                  (Error 4).
    create_module(m, [], library(iso)).      (Error 5).
    create_module(m,[],[]), create_module(m,[],[]). (Error 97).

See Also