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diff --git a/lib/kernel/doc/src/code.xml b/lib/kernel/doc/src/code.xml index 819da544c3..575f2f0b51 100644 --- a/lib/kernel/doc/src/code.xml +++ b/lib/kernel/doc/src/code.xml @@ -29,238 +29,240 @@ <rev></rev> </header> <module>code</module> - <modulesummary>Erlang Code Server</modulesummary> + <modulesummary>Erlang code server.</modulesummary> <description> <p>This module contains the interface to the Erlang <em>code server</em>, which deals with the loading of compiled code into a running Erlang runtime system.</p> - <p>The runtime system can be started in either <em>embedded</em> or - <em>interactive</em> mode. Which one is decided by the command - line flag <c>-mode</c>.</p> + <p>The runtime system can be started in <em>embedded</em> or + <em>interactive</em> mode. Which one is decided by command-line + flag <c>-mode</c>:</p> <pre> % <input>erl -mode interactive</input></pre> - <p>Default mode is <c>interactive</c>.</p> + <p>The modes are as follows:</p> <list type="bulleted"> <item> - <p>In embedded mode, all code is loaded during system start-up + <p>In embedded mode, all code is loaded during system startup according to the boot script. (Code can also be loaded later by explicitly ordering the code server to do so).</p> </item> <item> - <p>In interactive mode, only some code is loaded during system - startup-up, basically the modules needed by the runtime - system itself. Other code is dynamically loaded when first + <p>In interactive mode, which is default, only some code is loaded + during system startup, basically the modules needed by the runtime + system. Other code is dynamically loaded when first referenced. When a call to a function in a certain module is made, and the module is not loaded, the code server searches for and tries to load the module.</p> </item> </list> - <p>To prevent accidentally reloading modules affecting the Erlang - runtime system itself, the <c>kernel</c>, <c>stdlib</c> and - <c>compiler</c> directories are considered <em>sticky</em>. This + <p>To prevent accidentally reloading of modules affecting the Erlang + runtime system, directories <c>kernel</c>, <c>stdlib</c>, + and <c>compiler</c> are considered <em>sticky</em>. This means that the system issues a warning and rejects the request if a user tries to reload a module residing in any of them. - The feature can be disabled by using the command line flag + The feature can be disabled by using command-line flag <c>-nostick</c>.</p> </description> <section> <title>Code Path</title> - <p>In interactive mode, the code server maintains a search path -- - usually called the <em>code path</em> -- consisting of a list of + <p>In interactive mode, the code server maintains a search path, + usually called the <em>code path</em>, consisting of a list of directories, which it searches sequentially when trying to load a module.</p> <p>Initially, the code path consists of the current working - directory and all Erlang object code directories under the library + directory and all Erlang object code directories under library directory <c>$OTPROOT/lib</c>, where <c>$OTPROOT</c> is the installation directory of Erlang/OTP, <c>code:root_dir()</c>. Directories can be named <c>Name[-Vsn]</c> and the code server, by default, chooses the directory with the highest version number - among those which have the same <c>Name</c>. The <c>-Vsn</c> - suffix is optional. If an <c>ebin</c> directory exists under - <c>Name[-Vsn]</c>, it is this directory which is added to - the code path.</p> - <p>The environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c> (defined in the operating - system) can be used to define additional library directories that - will be handled in the same way as the standard OTP library - directory described above, except that directories that do not - have an <c>ebin</c> directory will be ignored.</p> + among those having the same <c>Name</c>. Suffix <c>-Vsn</c> + is optional. If an <c>ebin</c> directory exists under + <c>Name[-Vsn]</c>, this directory is added to the code path.</p> + <p>Environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c> (defined in the operating + system) can be used to define more library directories to + be handled in the same way as the standard OTP library + directory described above, except that directories without + an <c>ebin</c> directory are ignored.</p> <p>All application directories found in the additional directories - will appear before the standard OTP applications, except for the - Kernel and STDLIB applications, which will be placed before any - additional applications. In other words, modules found in any - of the additional library directories will override modules with - the same name in OTP, except for modules in Kernel and - STDLIB.</p> - <p>The environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c> (if defined) should contain + appears before the standard OTP applications, except for the + <c>Kernel</c> and <c>STDLIB</c> applications, which are placed before + any additional applications. In other words, modules found in any + of the additional library directories override modules with + the same name in OTP, except for modules in <c>Kernel</c> and + <c>STDLIB</c>.</p> + <p>Environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c> (if defined) is to contain a colon-separated (for Unix-like systems) or semicolon-separated (for Windows) list of additional libraries.</p> - <p>Example: On an Unix-like system, <c>ERL_LIBS</c> could be set to - <c>/usr/local/jungerl:/home/some_user/my_erlang_lib</c>. (On Windows, - use semi-colon as separator.)</p> + <p><em>Example:</em></p> + <p>On a Unix-like system, <c>ERL_LIBS</c> can be set to the following</p> + <code> +/usr/local/jungerl:/home/some_user/my_erlang_lib</code> + <p>On Windows, use semi-colon as separator.</p> </section> <section> <title>Loading of Code From Archive Files</title> - <warning><p>The support for loading of code from archive files is - experimental. The sole purpose of releasing it before it is ready + <warning><p>The support for loading code from archive files is + experimental. The purpose of releasing it before it is ready is to obtain early feedback. The file format, semantics, - interfaces etc. may be changed in a future release. The function - <c>lib_dir/2</c> and the flag <c>-code_path_choice</c> are also + interfaces, and so on, can be changed in a future release. The function + <seealso marker="#lib_dir/2"><c>lib_dir/2</c></seealso> + and flag <c>-code_path_choice</c> are also experimental.</p></warning> - <p>In the current implementation, Erlang archives are <c>ZIP</c> - files with <c>.ez</c> extension. Erlang archives may also be + <p>The Erlang archives are <c>ZIP</c> + files with extension <c>.ez</c>. Erlang archives can also be enclosed in <c>escript</c> files whose file extension is arbitrary.</p> - <p>Erlang archive files may contain entire Erlang applications or + <p>Erlang archive files can contain entire Erlang applications or parts of applications. The structure in an archive file is the - same as the directory structure for an application. If you for - example would create an archive of <c>mnesia-4.4.7</c>, the + same as the directory structure for an application. If you, for + example, create an archive of <c>mnesia-4.4.7</c>, the archive file must be named <c>mnesia-4.4.7.ez</c> and it must - contain a top directory with the name <c>mnesia-4.4.7</c>. If the + contain a top directory named <c>mnesia-4.4.7</c>. If the version part of the name is omitted, it must also be omitted in the archive. That is, a <c>mnesia.ez</c> archive must contain a <c>mnesia</c> top directory.</p> - <p>An archive file for an application may for example be + <p>An archive file for an application can, for example, be created like this:</p> <pre> - zip:create("mnesia-4.4.7.ez", - ["mnesia-4.4.7"], - [{cwd, code:lib_dir()}, - {compress, all}, - {uncompress,[".beam",".app"]}]).</pre> - - <p>Any file in the archive may be compressed, but in order to - speed up the access of frequently read files, it may be a good +zip:create("mnesia-4.4.7.ez", + ["mnesia-4.4.7"], + [{cwd, code:lib_dir()}, + {compress, all}, + {uncompress,[".beam",".app"]}]).</pre> + + <p>Any file in the archive can be compressed, but to + speed up the access of frequently read files, it can be a good idea to store <c>beam</c> and <c>app</c> files uncompressed in the archive.</p> - <p>Normally the top directory of an application is located either - in the library directory <c>$OTPROOT/lib</c> or in a directory - referred to by the environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c>. At - startup when the initial code path is computed, the code server - will also look for archive files in these directories and - possibly add <c>ebin</c> directories in archives to the code path. The - code path will then contain paths to directories that looks like + <p>Normally the top directory of an application is located + in library directory <c>$OTPROOT/lib</c> or in a directory + referred to by environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c>. At + startup, when the initial code path is computed, the code server + also looks for archive files in these directories and + possibly adds <c>ebin</c> directories in archives to the code path. The + code path then contains paths to directories that look like <c>$OTPROOT/lib/mnesia.ez/mnesia/ebin</c> or <c>$OTPROOT/lib/mnesia-4.4.7.ez/mnesia-4.4.7/ebin</c>.</p> - <p>The code server uses the module <c>erl_prim_loader</c> - (possibly via the <c>erl_boot_server</c>) to read code files from - archives. But the functions in <c>erl_prim_loader</c> may also be + <p>The code server uses module <c>erl_prim_loader</c> in <c>ERTS</c> + (possibly through <c>erl_boot_server</c>) to read code files from + archives. However, the functions in <c>erl_prim_loader</c> can also be used by other applications to read files from archives. For example, the call <c>erl_prim_loader:list_dir( "/otp/root/lib/mnesia-4.4.7.ez/mnesia-4.4.7/examples/bench)"</c> would list the contents of a directory inside an archive. - See <seealso marker="erts:erl_prim_loader">erl_prim_loader(3)</seealso>.</p> + See <seealso marker="erts:erl_prim_loader"><c>erl_prim_loader(3)</c></seealso>.</p> <p>An application archive file and a regular application directory - may coexist. This may be useful when there is a need of having + can coexist. This can be useful when it is needed to have parts of the application as regular files. A typical case is the - <c>priv</c> directory which must reside as a regular directory in - order to be able to dynamically link in drivers and start port - programs. For other applications that do not have this need, the - <c>priv</c> directory may reside in the archive and the files - under the <c>priv</c> directory may be read via the + <c>priv</c> directory, which must reside as a regular directory + to link in drivers dynamically and start port programs. + For other applications that do not need this, directory + <c>priv</c> can reside in the archive and the files + under the directory <c>priv</c> can be read through <c>erl_prim_loader</c>.</p> - <p>At the time point when a directory is added to the code path as - well as when the entire code path is (re)set, the code server - will decide which subdirectories in an application that shall be - read from the archive and which that shall be read as regular + <p>When a directory is added to the code path and + when the entire code path is (re)set, the code server + decides which subdirectories in an application that are to be + read from the archive and which that are to be read as regular files. If directories are added or removed afterwards, the file - access may fail if the code path is not updated (possibly to the - same path as before in order to trigger the directory resolution - update). For each directory on the second level (ebin, priv, src - etc.) in the application archive, the code server will firstly - choose the regular directory if it exists and secondly from the - archive. The function - <c>code:lib_dir/2</c> returns the path to the subdirectory. For - example <c>code:lib_dir(megaco,ebin)</c> may return + access can fail if the code path is not updated (possibly to the + same path as before, to trigger the directory resolution + update).</p> + + <p>For each directory on the second level in the application archive + (<c>ebin</c>, <c>priv</c>, <c>src</c>, and so on), the code server first + chooses the regular directory if it exists and second from the + archive. Function <c>code:lib_dir/2</c> returns the path to the + subdirectory. For example, <c>code:lib_dir(megaco,ebin)</c> can return <c>/otp/root/lib/megaco-3.9.1.1.ez/megaco-3.9.1.1/ebin</c> while - <c>code:lib_dir(megaco,priv)</c> may return + <c>code:lib_dir(megaco,priv)</c> can return <c>/otp/root/lib/megaco-3.9.1.1/priv</c>.</p> <p>When an <c>escript</c> file contains an archive, there are - neither restrictions on the name of the <c>escript</c> nor on how - many applications that may be stored in the embedded - archive. Single <c>beam</c> files may also reside on the top - level in the archive. At startup, both the top directory in the - embedded archive as well as all (second level) <c>ebin</c> + no restrictions on the name of the <c>escript</c> and no restrictions + on how many applications that can be stored in the embedded + archive. Single Beam files can also reside on the top + level in the archive. At startup, the top directory in the + embedded archive and all (second level) <c>ebin</c> directories in the embedded archive are added to the code path. - See <seealso marker="erts:escript">escript(1)</seealso></p> + See <seealso marker="erts:escript"><c>erts:escript(1)</c></seealso>.</p> <p>When the choice of directories in the code path is - <c>strict</c>, the directory that ends up in the code path will - be exactly the stated one. This means that if for example the + <c>strict</c>, the directory that ends up in the code path is + exactly the stated one. This means that if, for example, the directory <c>$OTPROOT/lib/mnesia-4.4.7/ebin</c> is explicitly - added to the code path, the code server will not load files from - <c>$OTPROOT/lib/mnesia-4.4.7.ez/mnesia-4.4.7/ebin</c> and vice - versa. </p> + added to the code path, the code server does not load files from + <c>$OTPROOT/lib/mnesia-4.4.7.ez/mnesia-4.4.7/ebin</c>.</p> - <p>This behavior can be controlled via the command line flag + <p>This behavior can be controlled through command-line flag <c>-code_path_choice Choice</c>. If the flag is set to <c>relaxed</c>, - the code server will instead choose a suitable directory - depending on the actual file structure. If there exists a regular - application ebin directory, it will be chosen. But if it does - not exist, the ebin directory in the archive is chosen if it - exists. If neither of them exists the original directory will be + the code server instead chooses a suitable directory + depending on the actual file structure. If a regular + application <c>ebin</c> directory exists, it is chosen. Otherwise, + the directory <c>ebin</c> in the archive is chosen if it + exists. If neither of them exists, the original directory is chosen.</p> - <p>The command line flag <c>-code_path_choice Choice</c> does also - affect how <c>init</c> interprets the <c>boot script</c>. The - interpretation of the explicit code paths in the <c>boot - script</c> may be <c>strict</c> or <c>relaxed</c>. It is - particular useful to set the flag to <c>relaxed</c> when you want - to elaborate with code loading from archives without editing the + <p>Command-line flag <c>-code_path_choice Choice</c> also + affects how module <c>init</c> interprets the <c>boot script</c>. + The interpretation of the explicit code paths in the <c>boot + script</c> can be <c>strict</c> or <c>relaxed</c>. It is + particularly useful to set the flag to <c>relaxed</c> when + elaborating with code loading from archives without editing the <c>boot script</c>. The default is <c>relaxed</c>. See <seealso - marker="erts:init">init(3)</seealso></p></section> + marker="erts:init"><c>erts:init(3)</c></seealso>.</p></section> <section> <title>Current and Old Code</title> - <p>The code of a module can exists in two variants in a system: + <p>The code for a module can exist in two variants in a system: <em>current code</em> and <em>old code</em>. When a module is - loaded into the system for the first time, the code of the module + loaded into the system for the first time, the module code becomes 'current' and the global <em>export table</em> is updated with references to all functions exported from the module.</p> - <p>If then a new instance of the module is loaded (perhaps because - of the correction of an error), then the code of the previous + <p>If then a new instance of the module is loaded (for example, because of + error correction), the code of the previous instance becomes 'old', and all export entries referring to - the previous instance are removed. After that the new instance is - loaded as if it was loaded for the first time, as described above, - and becomes 'current'.</p> - <p>Both old and current code for a module are valid, and may even be + the previous instance are removed. After that, the new instance is + loaded as for the first time, and becomes 'current'.</p> + <p>Both old and current code for a module are valid, and can even be evaluated concurrently. The difference is that exported functions - in old code are unavailable. Hence there is no way to make a - global call to an exported function in old code, but old code may + in old code are unavailable. Hence, a global call cannot be made + to an exported function in old code, but old code can still be evaluated because of processes lingering in it.</p> - <p>If a third instance of the module is loaded, the code server will - remove (purge) the old code and any processes lingering in it will - be terminated. Then the third instance becomes 'current' and + <p>If a third instance of the module is loaded, the code server + removes (purges) the old code and any processes lingering in it + are terminated. Then the third instance becomes 'current' and the previously current code becomes 'old'.</p> <p>For more information about old and current code, and how to - make a process switch from old to current code, refer to + make a process switch from old to current code, see section + Compilation and Code Loading in the <seealso marker="doc/reference_manual:code_loading">Erlang Reference Manual</seealso>.</p> </section> <section> <title>Argument Types and Invalid Arguments</title> - <p>Generally, module and application names are atoms, while file and directory + <p>Module and application names are atoms, while file and directory names are strings. For backward compatibility reasons, some functions accept both strings and atoms, but a future release will probably only allow the arguments that are documented.</p> - <p>From the R12B release, functions in this module will generally fail with an - exception if they are passed an incorrect type (for instance, an integer or a tuple - where an atom was expected). An error tuple will be returned if the type of the argument - was correct, but there was some other error (for instance, a non-existing directory - was given to <c>set_path/1</c>).</p> + <p>As from Erlang/OTP R12B, functions in this module generally fail with an + exception if they are passed an incorrect type (for example, an integer or a tuple + where an atom is expected). An error tuple is returned if the argument type + is correct, but there are some other errors (for example, a non-existing directory + is specified to <c>set_path/1</c>).</p> </section> <section> @@ -312,33 +314,38 @@ </datatype> <datatype> <name name="prepared_code"/> - <desc>An opaque term holding prepared code.</desc> + <desc><p>An opaque term holding prepared code.</p></desc> </datatype> </datatypes> <funcs> <func> <name name="set_path" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Set the code server search path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Set the code server search path.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Sets the code path to the list of directories <c><anno>Path</anno></c>.</p> - <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful, or - <c>{error, bad_directory}</c> if any <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> is not - the name of a directory, or <c>{error, bad_path}</c> if - the argument is invalid.</p> + <p>Returns:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>true</c></tag> + <item><p>If successful</p></item> + <tag><c>{error, bad_directory}</c></tag> + <item><p>If any <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> is not a directory name</p></item> + <tag><c>{error, bad_path}</c></tag> + <item><p>If the argument is invalid</p></item> + </taglist> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="get_path" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>Return the code server search path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Return the code server search path.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>Returns the code path</p> + <p>Returns the code path.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="add_path" arity="1"/> <name name="add_pathz" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Add a directory to the end of the code path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Add a directory to the end of the code path.</fsummary> <type name="add_path_ret"/> <desc> <p>Adds <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> to the code path. The directory is added as @@ -351,11 +358,11 @@ </func> <func> <name name="add_patha" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Add a directory to the beginning of the code path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Add a directory to the beginning of the code path.</fsummary> <type name="add_path_ret"/> <desc> <p>Adds <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> to the beginning of the code path. If - <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> already exists, it is removed from the old + <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> exists, it is removed from the old position in the code path.</p> <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful, or <c>{error, bad_directory}</c> if <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> is not the name @@ -365,69 +372,81 @@ <func> <name name="add_paths" arity="1"/> <name name="add_pathsz" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Add directories to the end of the code path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Add directories to the end of the code path.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Adds the directories in <c><anno>Dirs</anno></c> to the end of the code - path. If a <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> already exists, it is not added. This - function always returns <c>ok</c>, regardless of the validity + path. If a <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> exists, it is not added.</p> + <p>Always returns <c>ok</c>, regardless of the validity of each individual <c><anno>Dir</anno></c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="add_pathsa" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Add directories to the beginning of the code path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Add directories to the beginning of the code path.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Adds the directories in <c><anno>Dirs</anno></c> to the beginning of - the code path. If a <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> already exists, it is removed - from the old position in the code path. This function always - returns <c>ok</c>, regardless of the validity of each + the code path. If a <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> exists, it is removed + from the old position in the code path.</p> + <p>Always returns <c>ok</c>, regardless of the validity of each individual <c><anno>Dir</anno></c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="del_path" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Delete a directory from the code path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Delete a directory from the code path.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Deletes a directory from the code path. The argument can be an atom <c><anno>Name</anno></c>, in which case the directory with the name <c>.../<anno>Name</anno>[-Vsn][/ebin]</c> is deleted from the code - path. It is also possible to give the complete directory name - <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> as argument.</p> - <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful, or <c>false</c> if - the directory is not found, or <c>{error, bad_name}</c> if - the argument is invalid.</p> + path. Also, the complete directory name <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> can be + specified as argument.</p> + <p>Returns:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>true</c></tag> + <item><p>If successful</p></item> + <tag><c>false</c></tag> + <item><p>If the directory is not found</p></item> + <tag><c>{error, bad_name}</c></tag> + <item><p>If the argument is invalid</p></item> + </taglist> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="replace_path" arity="2"/> - <fsummary>Replace a directory with another in the code path</fsummary> - <desc> - <p>This function replaces an old occurrence of a directory - named <c>.../<anno>Name</anno>[-Vsn][/ebin]</c>, in the code path, with - <c><anno>Dir</anno></c>. If <c><anno>Name</anno></c> does not exist, it adds the new - directory <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> last in the code path. The new directory - must also be named <c>.../<anno>Name</anno>[-Vsn][/ebin]</c>. This function - should be used if a new version of the directory (library) is + <fsummary>Replace a directory with another in the code path.</fsummary> + <desc> + <p>Replaces an old occurrence of a directory + named <c>.../<anno>Name</anno>[-Vsn][/ebin]</c> in the code path, with + <c><anno>Dir</anno></c>. If <c><anno>Name</anno></c> does not exist, it adds + the new directory <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> last in the code path. The new + directory must also be named <c>.../<anno>Name</anno>[-Vsn][/ebin]</c>. + This function is to be used if a new version of the directory (library) is added to a running system.</p> - <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful, or - <c>{error, bad_name}</c> if <c><anno>Name</anno></c> is not found, or - <c>{error, bad_directory}</c> if <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> does not exist, or - <c>{error, {badarg, [<anno>Name</anno>, <anno>Dir</anno>]}}</c> if <c><anno>Name</anno></c> or - <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> is invalid.</p> + <p>Returns:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>true</c></tag> + <item><p>If successful</p></item> + <tag><c>{error, bad_name}</c></tag> + <item><p>If <c><anno>Name</anno></c> is not found</p></item> + <tag><c>{error, bad_directory}</c></tag> + <item><p>If <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> does not exist</p></item> + <tag><c>{error, {badarg, [<anno>Name</anno>, <anno>Dir</anno>]}}</c></tag> + <item><p>If <c><anno>Name</anno></c> or <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> is invalid</p></item> + </taglist> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="load_file" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Load a module</fsummary> + <fsummary>Load a module.</fsummary> <type name="load_ret"/> <desc> <p>Tries to load the Erlang module <c><anno>Module</anno></c>, using the code path. It looks for the object code file with an - extension that corresponds to the Erlang machine used, for - example <c><anno>Module</anno>.beam</c>. The loading fails if the module + extension corresponding to the Erlang machine used, for + example, <c><anno>Module</anno>.beam</c>. The loading fails if the module name found in the object code differs from the name <c><anno>Module</anno></c>. - <seealso marker="#load_binary/3">load_binary/3</seealso> must + <seealso marker="#load_binary/3"><c>load_binary/3</c></seealso> must be used to load object code with a module name that is different from the file name.</p> <p>Returns <c>{module, <anno>Module</anno>}</c> if successful, or @@ -437,45 +456,45 @@ </func> <func> <name name="load_abs" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Load a module, residing in a given file</fsummary> + <fsummary>Load a module, residing in a specified file.</fsummary> <type name="load_ret"/> <type name="loaded_filename"/> <type name="loaded_ret_atoms"/> <desc> - <p>Does the same as <c>load_file(<anno>Module</anno>)</c>, but - <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is either an absolute file name, or a - relative file name. The code path is not searched. It returns + <p>Same as <c>load_file(<anno>Module</anno>)</c>, but + <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is an absolute or + relative filename. The code path is not searched. It returns a value in the same way as - <seealso marker="#load_file/1">load_file/1</seealso>. Note - that <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> should not contain the extension (for - example <c>".beam"</c>); <c>load_abs/1</c> adds the correct - extension itself.</p> + <seealso marker="#load_file/1"><c>load_file/1</c></seealso>. Notice + that <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> must not contain the extension (for + example, <c>.beam</c>) because <c>load_abs/1</c> adds the correct + extension.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="ensure_loaded" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Ensure that a module is loaded</fsummary> + <fsummary>Ensure that a module is loaded.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>Tries to to load a module in the same way as - <seealso marker="#load_file/1">load_file/1</seealso>, + <p>Tries to load a module in the same way as + <seealso marker="#load_file/1"><c>load_file/1</c></seealso>, unless the module is already loaded. - In embedded mode, however, it does not load a module which is not + However, in embedded mode it does not load a module that is not already loaded, but returns <c>{error, embedded}</c> instead. See <seealso marker="#error_reasons">Error Reasons for Code-Loading Functions</seealso> for a description of other possible error reasons.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="load_binary" arity="3"/> - <fsummary>Load object code for a module</fsummary> + <fsummary>Load object code for a module.</fsummary> <type name="loaded_filename"/> <type name="loaded_ret_atoms"/> <desc> <p>This function can be used to load object code on remote - Erlang nodes. The argument <c><anno>Binary</anno></c> must contain + Erlang nodes. Argument <c><anno>Binary</anno></c> must contain object code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c>. <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is only used by the code server to keep a record of from which file the object code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c> - comes. Accordingly, <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is not opened and read by + comes. Thus, <c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is not opened and read by the code server.</p> <p>Returns <c>{module, <anno>Module</anno>}</c> if successful, or <c>{error, Reason}</c> if loading fails. @@ -616,92 +635,94 @@ ok = code:finish_loading(Prepared), </func> <func> <name name="delete" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Removes current code for a module</fsummary> + <fsummary>Remove current code for a module.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Removes the current code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c>, that is, the current code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is made old. This means that processes can continue to execute the code in the module, - but that no external function calls can be made to it.</p> + but no external function calls can be made to it.</p> <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful, or <c>false</c> if there - is old code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c> which must be purged first, or + is old code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c> that must be purged first, or if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is not a (loaded) module.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="purge" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Removes old code for a module</fsummary> + <fsummary>Remove old code for a module.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Purges the code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c>, that is, removes code marked as old. If some processes still linger in the old code, these processes are killed before the code is removed.</p> - <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful and any process needed to + <p>Returns <c>true</c> if successful and any process is needed to be killed, otherwise <c>false</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="soft_purge" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Removes old code for a module, unless no process uses it</fsummary> + <fsummary>Remove old code for a module, unless no process uses it.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Purges the code for <c><anno>Module</anno></c>, that is, removes code marked as old, but only if no processes linger in it.</p> - <p>Returns <c>false</c> if the module could not be purged due - to processes lingering in old code, otherwise <c>true</c>.</p> + <p>Returns <c>false</c> if the module cannot be purged because + of processes lingering in old code, otherwise <c>true</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="is_loaded" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Check if a module is loaded</fsummary> + <fsummary>Check if a module is loaded.</fsummary> <type name="loaded_filename"/> <type name="loaded_ret_atoms"/> - <type_desc name="loaded_filename"><c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is an absolute filename</type_desc> + <type_desc name="loaded_filename"><c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is an absolute + filename.</type_desc> <desc> <p>Checks if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is loaded. If it is, <c>{file, <anno>Loaded</anno>}</c> is returned, otherwise <c>false</c>.</p> - <p>Normally, <c><anno>Loaded</anno></c> is the absolute file name - <c>Filename</c> from which the code was obtained. If the module + <p>Normally, <c><anno>Loaded</anno></c> is the absolute filename + <c>Filename</c> from which the code is obtained. If the module is preloaded (see - <seealso marker="sasl:script">script(4)</seealso>), - <c>Loaded==preloaded</c>. If the module is Cover compiled (see - <seealso marker="tools:cover">cover(3)</seealso>), + <seealso marker="sasl:script"><c>sasl:script(4)</c></seealso>), + <c>Loaded==preloaded</c>. If the module is Cover-compiled (see + <seealso marker="tools:cover"><c>tools:cover(3)</c></seealso>), <c>Loaded==cover_compiled</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="all_loaded" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>Get all loaded modules</fsummary> + <fsummary>Get all loaded modules.</fsummary> <type name="loaded_filename"/> <type name="loaded_ret_atoms"/> - <type_desc name="loaded_filename"><c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is an absolute filename</type_desc> + <type_desc name="loaded_filename"><c><anno>Filename</anno></c> is an absolute + filename.</type_desc> <desc> <p>Returns a list of tuples <c>{<anno>Module</anno>, <anno>Loaded</anno>}</c> for all - loaded modules. <c><anno>Loaded</anno></c> is normally the absolute file - name, as described for - <seealso marker="#is_loaded/1">is_loaded/1</seealso>.</p> + loaded modules. <c><anno>Loaded</anno></c> is normally the absolute filename, + as described for + <seealso marker="#is_loaded/1"><c>is_loaded/1</c></seealso>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="which" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>The object code file of a module</fsummary> + <fsummary>The object code file of a module.</fsummary> <type name="loaded_ret_atoms"/> <desc> <p>If the module is not loaded, this function searches the code - path for the first file which contains object code for - <c><anno>Module</anno></c> and returns the absolute file name. If - the module is loaded, it returns the name of the file which - contained the loaded object code. If the module is pre-loaded, - <c>preloaded</c> is returned. If the module is Cover compiled, - <c>cover_compiled</c> is returned. <c>non_existing</c> is - returned if the module cannot be found.</p> + path for the first file containing object code for + <c><anno>Module</anno></c> and returns the absolute filename.</p> + <p>If the module is loaded, it returns the name of the file + containing the loaded object code.</p> + <p>If the module is preloaded, <c>preloaded</c> is returned.</p> + <p>If the module is Cover-compiled, <c>cover_compiled</c> is returned.</p> + <p>If the module cannot be found, <c>non_existing</c> is returned.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="get_object_code" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Get the object code for a module</fsummary> + <fsummary>Gets the object code for a module.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>Searches the code path for the object code of the module - <c><anno>Module</anno></c>. It returns <c>{<anno>Module</anno>, <anno>Binary</anno>, <anno>Filename</anno>}</c> - if successful, and <c>error</c> if not. <c><anno>Binary</anno></c> is a - binary data object which contains the object code for + <p>Searches the code path for the object code of module + <c><anno>Module</anno></c>. Returns <c>{<anno>Module</anno>, <anno>Binary</anno>, <anno>Filename</anno>}</c> + if successful, otherwise <c>error</c>. <c><anno>Binary</anno></c> is a + binary data object, which contains the object code for the module. This can be useful if code is to be loaded on a remote node in a distributed system. For example, loading module <c><anno>Module</anno></c> on a node <c>Node</c> is done as @@ -715,10 +736,11 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), </func> <func> <name name="root_dir" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>Root directory of Erlang/OTP</fsummary> + <fsummary>Root directory of Erlang/OTP.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Returns the root directory of Erlang/OTP, which is the directory where it is installed.</p> + <p><em>Example:</em></p> <pre> > <input>code:root_dir().</input> "/usr/local/otp"</pre> @@ -726,10 +748,11 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), </func> <func> <name name="lib_dir" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>Library directory of Erlang/OTP</fsummary> + <fsummary>Library directory of Erlang/OTP.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Returns the library directory, <c>$OTPROOT/lib</c>, where <c>$OTPROOT</c> is the root directory of Erlang/OTP.</p> + <p><em>Example:</em></p> <pre> > <input>code:lib_dir().</input> "/usr/local/otp/lib"</pre> @@ -737,50 +760,49 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), </func> <func> <name name="lib_dir" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Library directory for an application</fsummary> + <fsummary>Library directory for an application.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>This function is mainly intended for finding out the path + <p>Returns the path for the "library directory", the top directory, for an application <c><anno>Name</anno></c> located under <c>$OTPROOT/lib</c> or - on a directory referred to via the <c>ERL_LIBS</c> - environment variable.</p> - <p>If there is a regular directory called <c><anno>Name</anno></c> or - <c><anno>Name</anno>-Vsn</c> in the code path with an <c>ebin</c> + on a directory referred to with environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c>.</p> + <p>If a regular directory called <c><anno>Name</anno></c> or + <c><anno>Name</anno>-Vsn</c> exists in the code path with an <c>ebin</c> subdirectory, the path to this directory is returned (not - the <c>ebin</c> directory). If the directory refers to a - directory in an archive, the archive name is stripped away - before the path is returned. For example, if the directory + the <c>ebin</c> directory).</p> + <p>If the directory refers to a directory in an archive, the + archive name is stripped away before the path is returned. + For example, if directory <c>/usr/local/otp/lib/mnesia-4.2.2.ez/mnesia-4.2.2/ebin</c> is in the path, <c>/usr/local/otp/lib/mnesia-4.2.2/ebin</c> - will be returned. This means that the library directory for - an application is the same, regardless of whether the + is returned. This means that the library directory for + an application is the same, regardless if the application resides in an archive or not.</p> - + <p><em>Example:</em></p> <pre> > <input>code:lib_dir(mnesia).</input> "/usr/local/otp/lib/mnesia-4.2.2"</pre> <p>Returns <c>{error, bad_name}</c> if <c><anno>Name</anno></c> is not the name of an application under <c>$OTPROOT/lib</c> or - on a directory referred to via the <c>ERL_LIBS</c> - environment variable. Fails with an exception if <c>Name</c> - has the wrong type.</p> + on a directory referred to through environment variable <c>ERL_LIBS</c>. + Fails with an exception if <c>Name</c> has the wrong type.</p> - <warning><p>For backward compatibility, <c><anno>Name</anno></c> is also allowed to - be a string. That will probably change in a future release.</p></warning> + <warning><p>For backward compatibility, <c><anno>Name</anno></c> is also + allowed to be a string. That will probably change in a future release.</p></warning> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="lib_dir" arity="2"/> - <fsummary>subdirectory for an application</fsummary> + <fsummary>Subdirectory for an application.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Returns the path to a subdirectory directly under the top directory of an application. Normally the subdirectories - resides under the top directory for the application, but when - applications at least partly resides in an archive the - situation is different. Some of the subdirectories may reside - as regular directories while other resides in an archive - file. It is not checked if this directory really exists.</p> - + reside under the top directory for the application, but when + applications at least partly resides in an archive, the + situation is different. Some of the subdirectories can reside + as regular directories while other reside in an archive + file. It is not checked whether this directory exists.</p> + <p><em>Example:</em></p> <pre> > <input>code:lib_dir(megaco, priv).</input> "/usr/local/otp/lib/megaco-3.9.1.1/priv"</pre> @@ -791,7 +813,7 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), </func> <func> <name name="compiler_dir" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>Library directory for the compiler</fsummary> + <fsummary>Library directory for the compiler.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Returns the compiler library directory. Equivalent to <c>code:lib_dir(compiler)</c>.</p> @@ -799,10 +821,10 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), </func> <func> <name name="priv_dir" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Priv directory for an application</fsummary> + <fsummary>Priv directory for an application.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Returns the path to the <c>priv</c> directory in an - application. Equivalent to <c>code:lib_dir(<anno>Name</anno>, priv).</c>.</p> + application. Equivalent to <c>code:lib_dir(<anno>Name</anno>, priv)</c>.</p> <warning><p>For backward compatibility, <c><anno>Name</anno></c> is also allowed to be a string. That will probably change in a future release.</p></warning> @@ -810,43 +832,43 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), </func> <func> <name name="objfile_extension" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>Object code file extension</fsummary> + <fsummary>Object code file extension.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>Returns the object code file extension that corresponds to - the Erlang machine used, namely <c>".beam"</c>.</p> + <p>Returns the object code file extension corresponding to + the Erlang machine used, namely <c>.beam</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="stick_dir" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Mark a directory as sticky</fsummary> + <fsummary>Mark a directory as sticky.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>This function marks <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> as sticky.</p> - <p>Returns <c>ok</c> if successful or <c>error</c> if not.</p> + <p>Marks <c><anno>Dir</anno></c> as sticky.</p> + <p>Returns <c>ok</c> if successful, otherwise <c>error</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="unstick_dir" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Remove a sticky directory mark</fsummary> + <fsummary>Remove a sticky directory mark.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>This function unsticks a directory which has been marked as + <p>Unsticks a directory that is marked as sticky.</p> - <p>Returns <c>ok</c> if successful or <c>error</c> if not.</p> + <p>Returns <c>ok</c> if successful, otherwise <c>error</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="is_sticky" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Test whether a module is sticky</fsummary> + <fsummary>Test if a module is sticky.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>This function returns <c>true</c> if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is the + <p>Returns <c>true</c> if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is the name of a module that has been loaded from a sticky directory - (or in other words: an attempt to reload the module will fail), + (in other words: an attempt to reload the module will fail), or <c>false</c> if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is not a loaded module or is not sticky.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="where_is_file" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Full name of a file located in the code path</fsummary> + <fsummary>Full name of a file located in the code path.</fsummary> <desc> <p>Searches the code path for <c><anno>Filename</anno></c>, a file of arbitrary type. If found, the full name is returned. @@ -859,32 +881,39 @@ rpc:call(Node, code, load_binary, [Module, Filename, Binary]), <name name="clash" arity="0"/> <fsummary>Search for modules with identical names.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>Searches the entire code space for module names with + <p>Searches all directories in the code path for module names with identical names and writes a report to <c>stdout</c>.</p> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="is_module_native" arity="1"/> - <fsummary>Test whether a module has native code</fsummary> + <fsummary>Test if a module has native code.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>This function returns <c>true</c> if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is - name of a loaded module that has native code loaded, and - <c>false</c> if <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is loaded but does not have - native. If <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is not loaded, this function returns - <c>undefined</c>.</p> + <p>Returns:</p> + <taglist> + <tag><c>true</c></tag> + <item><p>If <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is the + name of a loaded module that has native code loaded</p></item> + <tag><c>false</c></tag> + <item><p>If <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is loaded but does not have + native code</p></item> + <tag><c>undefined</c></tag> + <item><p>If <c><anno>Module</anno></c> is not loaded</p></item> + </taglist> </desc> </func> <func> <name name="get_mode" arity="0"/> - <fsummary>The code_server's mode.</fsummary> + <fsummary>The mode of the code server.</fsummary> <desc> - <p>This function returns an atom describing the code_server's mode: - <c>interactive</c> or <c>embedded</c>. </p> + <p>Returns an atom describing the mode of the code server: + <c>interactive</c> or <c>embedded</c>.</p> <p>This information is useful when an external entity (for example, - an IDE) provides additional code for a running node. If in interactive - mode, it only needs to add to the code path. If in embedded mode, - the code has to be loaded with <c>load_binary/3</c></p> + an IDE) provides additional code for a running node. If the code server is + in interactive mode, it only has to add the path to the code. If the code server + is in embedded mode, the code must be loaded with + <seealso marker="#load_binary/3"><c>load_binary/3</c></seealso>.</p> </desc> </func> </funcs> |