A Semantic model for Modules
Last updated at 2:34 pm UTC on 16 January 2006
1. A Semantic model for Modules
This is a proposal for a minimal and yet powerful semantic model for a Squeak Modules system. It deals with the structure, relationships, and dependencies of modules. It is based on Dan Ingalls' Environments proposal, so anything not mentioned here should be taken directly from there. I've also looked closely at the ModSqueak work. There are many similarities, but there is a different philosophy at work here, which is Small is Beautiful, aka less is more.
This deals only with the static aspects of Squeak programs, ie. with the structure of a program as it is known at the time of definition, i.e. at compile-time. But as we know this is not a sharp distinction given the integrated nature of Smalltalk, hence the confusion about what is really what. Ie. just because some things are performed dynamically, the model is still strictly static. I have chosen to use the term Modules. This is also close to the established meaning of the term as in e.g. Modula-2.
