Idris2-boot/docs/tutorial/modules.rst
2020-02-25 21:37:48 +00:00

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.. _sect-namespaces:
**********************
Modules and Namespaces
**********************
An Idris program consists of a collection of modules. Each module
includes an optional ``module`` declaration giving the name of the
module, a list of ``import`` statements giving the other modules which
are to be imported, and a collection of declarations and definitions of
types, interfaces and functions. For example, the listing below gives a
module which defines a binary tree type ``BTree`` (in a file
``BTree.idr``):
.. code-block:: idris
module BTree
public export
data BTree a = Leaf
| Node (BTree a) a (BTree a)
export
insert : Ord a => a -> BTree a -> BTree a
insert x Leaf = Node Leaf x Leaf
insert x (Node l v r) = if (x < v) then (Node (insert x l) v r)
else (Node l v (insert x r))
export
toList : BTree a -> List a
toList Leaf = []
toList (Node l v r) = BTree.toList l ++ (v :: BTree.toList r)
export
toTree : Ord a => List a -> BTree a
toTree [] = Leaf
toTree (x :: xs) = insert x (toTree xs)
The modifiers ``export`` and ``public export`` say which names are visible
from other namespaces. These are explained further below.
Then, this gives a main program (in a file
``bmain.idr``) which uses the ``BTree`` module to sort a list:
.. code-block:: idris
module Main
import BTree
main : IO ()
main = do let t = toTree [1,8,2,7,9,3]
print (BTree.toList t)
The same names can be defined in multiple modules: names are *qualified* with
the name of the module. The names defined in the ``BTree`` module are, in full:
+ ``BTree.BTree``
+ ``BTree.Leaf``
+ ``BTree.Node``
+ ``BTree.insert``
+ ``BTree.toList``
+ ``BTree.toTree``
If names are otherwise unambiguous, there is no need to give the fully
qualified name. Names can be disambiguated either by giving an explicit
qualification, or according to their type.
There is no formal link between the module name and its filename,
although it is generally advisable to use the same name for each. An
``import`` statement refers to a filename, using dots to separate
directories. For example, ``import foo.bar`` would import the file
``foo/bar.idr``, which would conventionally have the module declaration
``module foo.bar``. The only requirement for module names is that the
main module, with the ``main`` function, must be called
``Main`` — although its filename need not be ``Main.idr``.
Export Modifiers
================
Idris allows for fine-grained control over the visibility of a
namespace's contents. By default, all names defined in a namespace are kept
private. This aids in specification of a minimal interface and for
internal details to be left hidden. Idris allows for functions,
types, and interfaces to be marked as: ``private``, ``export``, or
``public export``. Their general meaning is as follows:
- ``private`` meaning that it is not exported at all. This is the default.
- ``export`` meaning that its top level type is exported.
- ``public export`` meaning that the entire definition is exported.
A further restriction in modifying the visibility is that definitions must not
refer to anything within a lower level of visibility. For example, ``public
export`` definitions cannot use ``private`` or ``export`` names, and ``export``
types cannot use ``private`` names. This is to prevent private names leaking
into a module's interface.
Meaning for Functions
---------------------
- ``export`` the type is exported
- ``public export`` the type and definition are exported, and the
definition can be used after it is imported. In other words, the
definition itself is considered part of the module's interface. The
long name ``public export`` is intended to make you think twice
about doing this.
.. note::
Type synonyms in Idris are created by writing a function. When
setting the visibility for a module, it is usually a good idea to
``public export`` all type synonyms if they are to be used outside
the module. Otherwise, Idris won't know what the synonym is a
synonym for.
Since ``public export`` means that a function's definition is exported,
this effectively makes the function definition part of the module's API.
Therefore, it's generally a good idea to avoid using ``public export`` for
functions unless you really mean to export the full definition.
Meaning for Data Types
----------------------
For data types, the meanings are:
- ``export`` the type constructor is exported
- ``public export`` the type constructor and data constructors are exported
Meaning for Interfaces
----------------------
For interfaces, the meanings are:
- ``export`` the interface name is exported
- ``public export`` the interface name, method names and default
definitions are exported
Propagating Inner Module API's
-------------------------------
Additionally, a module can re-export a module it has imported, by using
the ``public`` modifier on an ``import``. For example:
.. code-block:: idris
module A
import B
import public C
The module ``A`` will export the name ``a``, as well as any public or
abstract names in module ``C``, but will not re-export anything from
module ``B``.
Explicit Namespaces
===================
Defining a module also defines a namespace implicitly. However,
namespaces can also be given *explicitly*. This is most useful if you
wish to overload names within the same module:
.. code-block:: idris
module Foo
namespace X
export
test : Int -> Int
test x = x * 2
namespace Y
export
test : String -> String
test x = x ++ x
This (admittedly contrived) module defines two functions with fully
qualified names ``Foo.X.test`` and ``Foo.Y.test``, which can be
disambiguated by their types:
::
*Foo> test 3
6 : Int
*Foo> test "foo"
"foofoo" : String
The export rules, ``public export`` and ``export``, are *per namespace*,
not *per file*, so the two ``test`` definitions above need the ``export``
flag to be visible outside their own namespaces.
Parameterised blocks
====================
Groups of functions can be parameterised over a number of arguments
using a ``parameters`` declaration, for example:
.. code-block:: idris
parameters (x : Nat, y : Nat)
addAll : Nat -> Nat
addAll z = x + y + z
The effect of a ``parameters`` block is to add the declared parameters
to every function, type and data constructor within the
block. Specifically, adding the parameters to the front of the
argument list. Outside the block, the parameters must be given
explicitly. The ``addAll`` function, when called from the REPL, will
thus have the following type signature.
::
*params> :t addAll
addAll : Nat -> Nat -> Nat -> Nat
and the following definition.
.. code-block:: idris
addAll : (x : Nat) -> (y : Nat) -> (z : Nat) -> Nat
addAll x y z = x + y + z
Parameters blocks can be nested, and can also include data declarations,
in which case the parameters are added explicitly to all type and data
constructors. They may also be dependent types with implicit arguments:
.. code-block:: idris
parameters (y : Nat, xs : Vect x a)
data Vects : Type -> Type where
MkVects : Vect y a -> Vects a
append : Vects a -> Vect (x + y) a
append (MkVects ys) = xs ++ ys
To use ``Vects`` or ``append`` outside the block, we must also give the
``xs`` and ``y`` arguments. Here, we can use placeholders for the values
which can be inferred by the type checker:
::
Main> show (append _ _ (MkVects _ [1,2,3] [4,5,6]))
"[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]"