View Source erl_syntax (syntax_tools v3.2)

Abstract Erlang syntax trees.

This module defines an abstract data type for representing Erlang source code as syntax trees, in a way that is backwards compatible with the data structures created by the Erlang standard library parser module erl_parse (often referred to as "parse trees", which is a bit of a misnomer). This means that all erl_parse trees are valid abstract syntax trees, but the reverse is not true: abstract syntax trees can in general not be used as input to functions expecting an erl_parse tree. However, as long as an abstract syntax tree represents a correct Erlang program, the function revert/1 should be able to transform it to the corresponding erl_parse representation.

A recommended starting point for the first-time user is the documentation of the syntaxTree() data type, and the function type/1.

NOTES:

This module deals with the composition and decomposition of syntactic entities (as opposed to semantic ones); its purpose is to hide all direct references to the data structures used to represent these entities. With few exceptions, the functions in this module perform no semantic interpretation of their inputs, and in general, the user is assumed to pass type-correct arguments - if this is not done, the effects are not defined.

With the exception of the erl_parse() data structures, the internal representations of abstract syntax trees are subject to change without notice, and should not be documented outside this module. Furthermore, we do not give any guarantees on how an abstract syntax tree may or may not be represented, with the following exceptions: no syntax tree is represented by a single atom, such as none, by a list constructor [X | Y], or by the empty list []. This can be relied on when writing functions that operate on syntax trees.

Summary

Functions

Creates an abstract empty list. The result represents "[]". The empty list is traditionally called "nil".

Returns the syntax tree corresponding to an Erlang term. Term must be a literal term, i.e., one that can be represented as a source code literal. Thus, it may not contain a process identifier, port, reference or function value as a subterm. The function recognises printable strings, in order to get a compact and readable representation. Evaluation fails with reason badarg if Term is not a literal term.

Appends the term Annotation to the list of user annotations of Node.

Appends Comments to the post-comments of Node.

Appends Comments to the pre-comments of Node.

Creates an abstract annotated type expression. The result represents "*Name* :: *Type*".

Returns the type subtrees of an annotated_type node.

Returns the name subtree of an annotated_type node.

Creates an abstract function application expression. If Arguments is [A1, ..., An], the result represents "*Operator*(*A1*, ..., *An*)".

Creates an abstract function application expression. If Module is none, this is call is equivalent to application(Function, Arguments), otherwise it is equivalent to application(module_qualifier(Module, Function), Arguments).

Returns the list of argument subtrees of an application node.

Returns the operator subtree of an application node.

Creates an abstract arity qualifier. The result represents "*Body*/*Arity*".

Returns the argument (the arity) subtree of an arity_qualifier node.

Returns the body subtree of an arity_qualifier node.

Creates an abstract atom literal. The print name of the atom is the character sequence represented by Name.

Returns the literal string represented by an atom node. This includes surrounding single-quote characters if necessary. Characters beyond 255 will be escaped.

Returns the literal string represented by an atom node. This includes surrounding single-quote characters if necessary. Depending on the encoding a character beyond 255 will be escaped (latin1) or copied as is (utf8).

Returns the printname of an atom node.

Returns the value represented by an atom node.

Creates an abstract program attribute. If Arguments is [A1, ..., An], the result represents "-*Name*(*A1*, ..., *An*).". Otherwise, if Arguments is none, the result represents "-*Name*.". The latter form makes it possible to represent preprocessor directives such as "-endif.". Attributes are source code forms.

Returns the list of argument subtrees of an attribute node, if any. If Node represents "-*Name*.", the result is none. Otherwise, if Node represents "-*Name*(*E1*, ..., *En*).", [E1, ..., E1] is returned.

Returns the name subtree of an attribute node.

Creates an abstract binary-object template. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], the result represents "<<*F1*, ..., *Fn*>>".

Creates an abstract binary comprehension. If Body is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "<<*Template* || *E1*, ..., *En*>>".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a binary_comp node.

Returns the template subtree of a binary_comp node.

Creates an abstract binary template field. If Types is the empty list, the result simply represents "*Body*", otherwise, if Types is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*Body*/*T1*-...-*Tn*".

Creates an abstract binary template field. If Size is none, this is equivalent to "binary_field(Body, Types)", otherwise it is equivalent to "binary_field(size_qualifier(Body, Size), Types)".

Returns the body subtree of a binary_field.

Returns the size specifier subtree of a binary_field node, if any. If Node represents "*Body*:*Size*" or "*Body*:*Size*/*T1*, ..., *Tn*", the result is Size, otherwise none is returned.

Returns the list of type-specifier subtrees of a binary_field node. If Node represents ".../*T1*, ..., *Tn*", the result is [T1, ..., Tn], otherwise the result is the empty list.

Returns the list of field subtrees of a binary node.

Creates an abstract binary_generator. The result represents "*Pattern*<- *Body*".

Returns the body subtree of a generator node.

Returns the pattern subtree of a generator node.

Creates an abstract bitstring type. The result represents "*<<_:M, _:_*N>>*".

Returns the number of start bits, M, of a bitstring_type node.

Returns the segment size, N, of a bitstring_type node.

Creates an abstract block expression. If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], the result represents "begin *B1*, ..., *Bn* end".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a block_expr node.

Creates an abstract case-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "case *Argument* of *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "case *Argument* of *P1**G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Pn**Gn* -> *Bn* end".

Returns the argument subtree of a case_expr node.

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a case_expr node.

Creates an abstract catch-expression. The result represents "catch *Expr*".

Returns the body subtree of a catch_expr node.

Creates an abstract character literal. The result represents "$*Name*", where Name corresponds to Value.

Returns the literal string represented by a char node. This includes the leading "$" character. Characters beyond 255 will be escaped.

Returns the literal string represented by a char node. This includes the leading "$" character. Depending on the encoding a character beyond 255 will be escaped (latin1) or copied as is (utf8).

Returns the value represented by a char node.

Creates an abstract class qualifier. The result represents "*Class*:*Body*".

Creates an abstract class qualifier. The result represents "*Class*:*Body*:*Stacktrace*".

Returns the argument (the class) subtree of a class_qualifier node.

Returns the body subtree of a class_qualifier node.

Returns the stacktrace subtree of a class_qualifier node.

Creates an abstract clause. If Patterns is [P1, ..., Pn] and Body is [B1, ..., Bm], then if Guard is none, the result represents "(*P1*, ..., *Pn*) -> *B1*, ..., *Bm*", otherwise, unless Guard is a list, the result represents "(*P1*, ..., *Pn*) when *Guard* -> *B1*, ..., *Bm*".

Return the list of body subtrees of a clause node.

Returns the guard subtree of a clause node, if any. If Node represents "(*P1*, ..., *Pn*) when *Guard* -> *B1*, ..., *Bm*", Guard is returned. Otherwise, the result is none.

Returns the list of pattern subtrees of a clause node.

Creates an abstract comment with the given padding and text. If Strings is a (possibly empty) list ["*Txt1*", ..., "*TxtN*"], the result represents the source code text

Returns the amount of padding before the comment, or none. The latter means that a default padding may be used.

Returns the lines of text of the abstract comment.

Yields the most compact form for an abstract list skeleton. The result either represents "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", where Tail is not a list skeleton, or otherwise simply "[*E1*, ..., *En*]". Annotations on subtrees of Node that represent list skeletons may be lost, but comments will be propagated to the result. Returns Node itself if Node does not represent a list skeleton.

Returns the Erlang term represented by a syntax tree. Evaluation fails with reason badarg if Node does not represent a literal term.

Creates an abstract conjunction. If List is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "*E1*, ..., *En*".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a conjunction node.

"Optimising" list skeleton cons operation. Creates an abstract list skeleton whose first element is Head and whose tail corresponds to Tail. This is similar to list([Head], Tail), except that Tail may not be none, and that the result does not necessarily represent exactly "[*Head* | *Tail*]", but may depend on the Tail subtree. E.g., if Tail represents [X, Y], the result may represent "[*Head*, X, Y]", rather than "[*Head* | [X, Y]]". Annotations on Tail itself may be lost if Tail represents a list skeleton, but comments on Tail are propagated to the result.

Creates an abstract constrained function type. If FunctionConstraint is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "*FunctionType* when *C1*, ...*Cn*".

Returns the function constraint subtree of a constrained_function_type node.

Returns the function type subtree of a constrained_function_type node.

Creates an abstract (subtype) constraint. The result represents "*Name* :: *Type*".

Returns the name subtree of a constraint node.

Returns the type subtree of a constraint node.

Copies the list of user annotations from Source to Target.

Copies the attributes from Source to Target.

Copies the pre- and postcomments from Source to Target.

Copies the annotation from Source to Target.

For special purposes only. Returns the associated data of a syntax tree node. Evaluation fails with reason badarg if is_tree(Node) does not yield true.

Creates an abstract disjunction. If List is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "*E1*; ...; *En*".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a disjunction node.

Creates an abstract else-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "else *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "else *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Pn**Gn* -> *Bn* end".

Returns the list of clause subtrees of an else_expr node.

Creates an abstract end-of-file marker. This represents the end of input when reading a sequence of source code forms. An end-of-file marker is itself regarded as a source code form (namely, the last in any sequence in which it occurs). It has no defined lexical form.

Creates an abstract error marker. The result represents an occurrence of an error in the source code, with an associated Erlang I/O ErrorInfo structure given by Error (see module //stdlib/io for details). Error markers are regarded as source code forms, but have no defined lexical form.

Returns the ErrorInfo structure of an error_marker node.

Flattens sublists of a form_list node. Returns Node with all subtrees of type form_list recursively expanded, yielding a single "flat" abstract form sequence.

Creates an abstract floating-point literal. The lexical representation is the decimal floating-point numeral of Value.

Returns the numeral string represented by a float node.

Returns the value represented by a float node. Note that floating-point values should usually not be compared for equality.

Creates an abstract sequence of "source code forms". If Forms is [F1, ..., Fn], where each Fi is a form (see is_form/1, the result represents

Returns the list of subnodes of a form_list node.

Creates an abstract fun-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "fun *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi1*, ..., *Pim*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "fun (*P11*, ..., *P1m*) *G1* -> *B1*; ...; (*Pn1*, ..., *Pnm*) *Gn* -> *Bn* end".

Returns the arity of a fun_expr node. The result is the number of parameter patterns in the first clause of the fun-expression; subsequent clauses are ignored.

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a fun_expr node.

Creates an abstract fun of any type. The result represents "fun()".

Creates an abstract function definition. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "*Name**C1*; ...; *Name**Cn*.". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi1*, ..., *Pim*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "*Name*(*P11*, ..., *P1m*) *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Name*(*Pn1*, ..., *Pnm*) *Gn* -> *Bn*.". Function definitions are source code forms.

Returns the arity of a function node. The result is the number of parameter patterns in the first clause of the function; subsequent clauses are ignored.

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a function node.

Returns the name subtree of a function node.

Creates an abstract function type. If Arguments is [T1, ..., Tn], then if it occurs within a function specification, the result represents "(*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*"; otherwise it represents "fun((*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*)". If Arguments is any_arity, it represents "fun((...) -> *Return*)".

Returns the argument types subtrees of a function_type node. If Node represents "fun((...) -> *Return*)", any_arity is returned; otherwise, if Node represents "(*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*" or "fun((*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*)", [T1, ..., Tn] is returned.

Returns the return type subtrees of a function_type node.

Creates an abstract generator. The result represents "*Pattern*<- *Body*".

Returns the body subtree of a generator node.

Returns the pattern subtree of a generator node.

Returns the list of user annotations associated with a syntax tree node. For a newly created node, this is the empty list. The annotations may be any terms.

Returns a representation of the attributes associated with a syntax tree node. The attributes are all the extra information that can be attached to a node. Currently, this includes position information, source code comments, and user annotations. The result of this function cannot be inspected directly; only attached to another node (see set_attrs/2).

Returns the annotation (see //stdlib/erl_anno) associated with Node. By default, all new tree nodes have their associated position information set to the integer zero. Use //stdlib/erl_anno:location/1 or //stdlib/erl_anno:line/1 to get the position information.

Returns the associated post-comments of a node. This is a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order. When the code is formatted, post-comments are typically displayed to the right of and/or below the node. For example

Returns the associated pre-comments of a node. This is a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order. When the code is formatted, pre-comments are typically displayed directly above the node. For example

Yields false if the node has no associated comments, and true otherwise.

Creates an abstract if-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "if *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "() *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "if *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Gn* -> *Bn* end".

Returns the list of clause subtrees of an if_expr node.

Creates an abstract "implicit fun" expression. The result represents "fun *Name*". Name should represent either *F*/*A* or *M*:*F*/*A*

Creates an abstract "implicit fun" expression. If Arity is none, this is equivalent to implicit_fun(Name), otherwise it is equivalent to implicit_fun(arity_qualifier(Name, Arity)).

Creates an abstract module-qualified "implicit fun" expression. If Module is none, this is equivalent to implicit_fun(Name, Arity), otherwise it is equivalent to implicit_fun(module_qualifier(Module, arity_qualifier(Name, Arity)).

Returns the name subtree of an implicit_fun node.

Creates an abstract infix operator expression. The result represents "*Left**Operator**Right*".

Returns the left argument subtree of an infix_expr node.

Returns the operator subtree of an infix_expr node.

Returns the right argument subtree of an infix_expr node.

Creates an abstract integer literal. The lexical representation is the canonical decimal numeral of Value.

Returns the numeral string represented by an integer node.

Creates an abstract range type. The result represents "*Low* .. *High*".

Returns the high limit of an integer_range_type node.

Returns the low limit of an integer_range_type node.

Returns the value represented by an integer node.

Returns true if Node has type atom and represents Value, otherwise false.

Returns true if Node has type char and represents Value, otherwise false.

Returns true if Node is a syntax tree representing a so-called "source code form", otherwise false. Forms are the Erlang source code units which, placed in sequence, constitute an Erlang program. Current form types are

Returns true if Node has type integer and represents Value, otherwise false.

Returns true if Node is a leaf node, otherwise false. The currently recognised leaf node types are

Returns true if Node has type list or nil, otherwise false.

Returns true if Node represents a literal term, otherwise false. This function returns true if and only if the value of concrete(Node) is defined.

Returns true if Node represents a proper list, and false otherwise. A proper list is a list skeleton either on the form "[]" or "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", or "[... | *Tail*]" where recursively Tail also represents a proper list.

Returns true if Node has type string and represents Value, otherwise false.

For special purposes only. Returns true if Tree is an abstract syntax tree and false otherwise.

Appends the comments of Source to the current comments of Target.

Equivalent to list(List, none).

Constructs an abstract list skeleton. The result has type list or nil. If List is a nonempty list [E1, ..., En], the result has type list and represents either "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", if Tail is none, or otherwise "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]". If List is the empty list, Tailmust be none, and in that case the result has type nil and represents "[]" (see nil/0).

Creates an abstract list comprehension. If Body is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "[*Template* || *E1*, ..., *En*]".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a list_comp node.

Returns the template subtree of a list_comp node.

Returns the list of element subtrees of a list skeleton. Node must represent a proper list. E.g., if Node represents "[*X1*, *X2* | [*X3*, *X4* | []]", then list_elements(Node) yields the list [X1, X2, X3, X4].

Returns the head element subtree of a list node. If Node represents "[*Head* ...]", the result will represent "*Head*".

Returns the number of element subtrees of a list skeleton. Node must represent a proper list. E.g., if Node represents "[X1 | [X2, X3 | [X4, X5, X6]]]", then list_length(Node) returns the integer 6.

Returns the prefix element subtrees of a list node. If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En*]" or "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", the returned value is [E1, ..., En].

Returns the suffix subtree of a list node, if one exists. If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", the returned value is Tail, otherwise, i.e., if Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", none is returned.

Returns the tail of a list node. If Node represents a single-element list "[*E*]", then the result has type nil, representing "[]". If Node represents "[*E1*, *E2* ...]", the result will represent "[*E2* ...]", and if Node represents "[*Head* | *Tail*]", the result will represent "*Tail*".

Creates an abstract macro application. If Arguments is none, the result represents "?*Name*", otherwise, if Arguments is [A1, ..., An], the result represents "?*Name*(*A1*, ..., *An*)".

Returns the list of argument subtrees of a macro node, if any. If Node represents "?*Name*", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "?*Name*(*A1*, ..., *An*)", [A1, ..., An] is returned.

Returns the name subtree of a macro node.

Creates a syntax tree with the given type and subtrees. Type must be a node type name (see type/1) that does not denote a leaf node type (see is_leaf/1). Groups must be a nonempty list of groups of syntax trees, representing the subtrees of a node of the given type, in left-to-right order as they would occur in the printed program text, grouped by category as done by subtrees/1.

Creates an abstract map comprehension. If Body is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "#{*Template* || *E1*, ..., *En*}".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a map_comp node.

Returns the template subtree of a map_comp node.

Creates an abstract map expression. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], then if Argument is none, the result represents "#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}", otherwise it represents "*Argument*#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}".

Returns the argument subtree of a map_expr node, if any. If Node represents "#{...}", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "*Argument*#{...}", Argument is returned.

Returns the list of field subtrees of a map_expr node.

Creates an abstract map assoc field. The result represents "*Name* => *Value*".

Returns the name subtree of a map_field_assoc node.

Returns the value subtree of a map_field_assoc node.

Creates an abstract map exact field. The result represents "*Name* := *Value*".

Returns the name subtree of a map_field_exact node.

Returns the value subtree of a map_field_exact node.

Creates an abstract map_generator. The result represents "*Pattern*<- *Body*".

Returns the body subtree of a generator node.

Returns the pattern subtree of a generator node.

Creates an abstract type map. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], the result represents "#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}"; otherwise, if Fields is any_size, it represents "map/0".

Creates an abstract map type assoc field. The result represents "*Name* => *Value*".

Returns the name subtree of a map_type_assoc node.

Returns the value subtree of a map_type_assoc node.

Creates an abstract map type exact field. The result represents "*Name* := *Value*".

Returns the name subtree of a map_type_exact node.

Returns the value subtree of a map_type_exact node.

Returns the list of field subtrees of a map_type node. If Node represents "map/0", any_size is returned; otherwise, if Node represents "#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}", [F1, ..., Fn] is returned.

Creates an abstract match-expression. The result represents "*Pattern* = *Body*".

Returns the body subtree of a match_expr node.

Returns the pattern subtree of a match_expr node.

Creates an abstract maybe-expression. If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], and OptionalElse is none, the result represents "maybe *B1*, ..., *Bn* end". If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], and OptionalElse reprsents an else_expr node with clauses [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "maybe *B1*, ..., *Bn* else *C1*; ..., *Cn* end".

Returns the list of body subtrees of a maybe_expr node.

Returns the else subtree of a maybe_expr node.

Creates an abstract maybe-expression, as used in maybe blocks. The result represents "*Pattern* ?= *Body*".

Returns the body subtree of a maybe_expr node.

Returns the pattern subtree of a maybe_expr node.

Creates a meta-representation of a syntax tree. The result represents an Erlang expression "*MetaTree*" which, if evaluated, will yield a new syntax tree representing the same source code text as Tree (although the actual data representation may be different). The expression represented by MetaTree is implementation independent with regard to the data structures used by the abstract syntax tree implementation. Comments attached to nodes of Tree will be preserved, but other attributes are lost.

Creates an abstract module qualifier. The result represents "*Module*:*Body*".

Returns the argument (the module) subtree of a module_qualifier node.

Returns the body subtree of a module_qualifier node.

Creates an abstract named fun-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "fun *Name**C1*; ...; *Name**Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi1*, ..., *Pim*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "fun *Name*(*P11*, ..., *P1m*) *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Name*(*Pn1*, ..., *Pnm*) *Gn* -> *Bn* end".

Returns the arity of a named_fun_expr node. The result is the number of parameter patterns in the first clause of the named fun-expression; subsequent clauses are ignored.

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a named_fun_expr node.

Returns the name subtree of a named_fun_expr node.

Expands an abstract list skeleton to its most explicit form. If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", the result represents "[*E1* | ... [*En* | *Tail1*] ... ]", where Tail1 is the result of normalize_list(Tail). If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", the result simply represents "[*E1* | ... [*En* | []] ... ]". If Node does not represent a list skeleton, Node itself is returned.

Creates an abstract operator. The name of the operator is the character sequence represented by Name. This is analogous to the print name of an atom, but an operator is never written within single-quotes; e.g., the result of operator('++') represents "++" rather than "'++'".

Returns the literal string represented by an operator node. This is simply the operator name as a string.

Returns the name of an operator node. Note that the name is returned as an atom.

Creates an abstract parenthesised expression. The result represents "(*Body*)", independently of the context.

Returns the body subtree of a parentheses node.

Creates an abstract prefix operator expression. The result represents "*Operator**Argument*".

Returns the argument subtree of a prefix_expr node.

Returns the operator subtree of a prefix_expr node.

Creates an abstract receive-expression. If Timeout is none, the result represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* end" (the Action argument is ignored). Otherwise, if Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn] and Action is [A1, ..., Am], the result represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* after *Timeout* -> *A1*, ..., *Am* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "receive *P1**G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Pn**Gn* -> *Bn* ... end".

Returns the list of action body subtrees of a receive_expr node. If Node represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* end", this is the empty list.

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a receive_expr node.

Returns the timeout subtree of a receive_expr node, if any. If Node represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* end", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* after *Timeout* -> ... end", Timeout is returned.

Creates an abstract record field access expression. The result represents "*Argument*#*Type*.*Field*".

Returns the argument subtree of a record_access node.

Returns the field subtree of a record_access node.

Returns the type subtree of a record_access node.

Creates an abstract record expression. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], then if Argument is none, the result represents "#*Type*{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}", otherwise it represents "*Argument*#*Type*{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}".

Returns the argument subtree of a record_expr node, if any. If Node represents "#*Type*{...}", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "*Argument*#*Type*{...}", Argument is returned.

Returns the list of field subtrees of a record_expr node.

Returns the type subtree of a record_expr node.

Creates an abstract record field specification. If Value is none, the result represents simply "*Name*", otherwise it represents "*Name* = *Value*".

Returns the name subtree of a record_field node.

Returns the value subtree of a record_field node, if any. If Node represents "*Name*", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "*Name* = *Value*", Value is returned.

Creates an abstract record field index expression. The result represents "#*Type*.*Field*".

Returns the field subtree of a record_index_expr node.

Returns the type subtree of a record_index_expr node.

Creates an abstract record type. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], the result represents "#*Name*{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}".

Creates an abstract record type field. The result represents "*Name* :: *Type*".

Returns the name subtree of a record_type_field node.

Returns the type subtree of a record_type_field node.

Returns the fields subtree of a record_type node.

Returns the name subtree of a record_type node.

Clears the associated comments of Node.

Returns an erl_parse-compatible representation of a syntax tree, if possible. If Tree represents a well-formed Erlang program or expression, the conversion should work without problems. Typically, is_tree/1 yields true if conversion failed (i.e., the result is still an abstract syntax tree), and false otherwise.

Reverts a sequence of Erlang source code forms. The sequence can be given either as a form_list syntax tree (possibly nested), or as a list of "program form" syntax trees. If successful, the corresponding flat list of erl_parse-compatible syntax trees is returned (see revert/1). If some program form could not be reverted, {error, Form} is thrown. Standalone comments in the form sequence are discarded.

Sets the list of user annotations of Node to Annotations.

Sets the attributes of Node to Attributes.

Sets the position information of Node to Pos.

Sets the post-comments of Node to Comments. Comments should be a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order

Sets the pre-comments of Node to Comments. Comments should be a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order.

Creates an abstract size qualifier. The result represents "*Body*:*Size*".

Returns the argument subtree (the size) of a size_qualifier node.

Returns the body subtree of a size_qualifier node.

Creates an abstract string literal. The result represents "*Text*" (including the surrounding double-quotes), where Text corresponds to the sequence of characters in Value, but not representing a specific string literal.

Returns the literal string represented by a string node. This includes surrounding double-quote characters. Characters beyond 255 will be escaped.

Returns the literal string represented by a string node. This includes surrounding double-quote characters. Depending on the encoding characters beyond 255 will be escaped (latin1) or copied as is (utf8).

Returns the value represented by a string node.

Returns the grouped list of all subtrees of a syntax tree. If Node is a leaf node (see is_leaf/1), this is the empty list, otherwise the result is always a nonempty list, containing the lists of subtrees of Node, in left-to-right order as they occur in the printed program text, and grouped by category. Often, each group contains only a single subtree.

Creates an abstract piece of source code text. The result represents exactly the sequence of characters in String. This is useful in cases when one wants full control of the resulting output, e.g., for the appearance of floating-point numbers or macro definitions.

Returns the character sequence represented by a text node.

Equivalent to tree(Type, []).

For special purposes only. Creates an abstract syntax tree node with type tag Type and associated data Data.

Creates an abstract try-expression. If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], Clauses is [C1, ..., Cj], Handlers is [H1, ..., Hk], and After is [A1, ..., Am], the result represents "try *B1*, ..., *Bn* of *C1*; ...; *Cj* catch *H1*; ...; *Hk* after *A1*, ..., *Am* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*CPi*) *CGi* -> *CBi*", and each Hi represents "(*HPi*) *HGi* -> *HBi*", then the result represents "try *B1*, ..., *Bn* of *CP1**CG1* -> *CB1*; ...; *CPj**CGj* -> *CBj* catch *HP1**HG1* -> *HB1*; ...; *HPk**HGk* -> *HBk* after *A1*, ..., *Am* end"; see case_expr/2. If Clauses is the empty list, the of ... section is left out. If After is the empty list, the after ... section is left out. If Handlers is the empty list, and After is nonempty, the catch ... section is left out.

Returns the list of "after" subtrees of a try_expr node.

Returns the list of body subtrees of a try_expr node.

Returns the list of case-clause subtrees of a try_expr node. If Node represents "try *Body* catch *H1*; ...; *Hn* end", the result is the empty list.

Returns the list of handler-clause subtrees of a try_expr node.

Creates an abstract tuple. If Elements is [X1, ..., Xn], the result represents "{*X1*, ..., *Xn*}".

Returns the list of element subtrees of a tuple node.

Returns the number of elements of a tuple node.

Creates an abstract type tuple. If Elements is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "{*T1*, ..., *Tn*}"; otherwise, if Elements is any_size, it represents "tuple/0".

Returns the list of type element subtrees of a tuple_type node. If Node represents "tuple/0", any_size is returned; otherwise, if Node represents "{*T1*, ..., *Tn*}", [T1, ..., Tn] is returned.

Returns the type tag of Node. If Node does not represent a syntax tree, evaluation fails with reason badarg. Node types currently defined by this module are

Creates an abstract type application expression. If Arguments is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*TypeName*(*T1*, ...*Tn*)".

Creates an abstract type application expression. If Module is none, this is call is equivalent to type_application(TypeName, Arguments), otherwise it is equivalent to type_application(module_qualifier(Module, TypeName), Arguments).

Returns the arguments subtrees of a type_application node.

Returns the type name subtree of a type_application node.

Creates an abstract type union. If Types is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*T1* | ... | *Tn*".

Returns the list of type subtrees of a type_union node.

Creates an abstract typed record field specification. The result represents "*Field* :: *Type*".

Returns the field subtree of a typed_record_field node.

Returns the type subtree of a typed_record_field node.

Creates an abstract universal pattern ("_"). The lexical representation is a single underscore character. Note that this is not a variable, lexically speaking.

Creates a syntax tree with the same type and attributes as the given tree. This is equivalent to copy_attrs(Node, make_tree(type(Node), Groups)).

Creates an abstract user type. If Arguments is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*TypeName*(*T1*, ...*Tn*)".

Returns the arguments subtrees of a user_type_application node.

Returns the type name subtree of a user_type_application node.

Creates an abstract variable with the given name. Name may be any atom or string that represents a lexically valid variable name, but not a single underscore character; see underscore/0.

Returns the name of a variable node as a string.

Returns the name of a variable node as an atom.

Creates an abstract warning marker. The result represents an occurrence of a possible problem in the source code, with an associated Erlang I/O ErrorInfo structure given by Error (see module //stdlib/io for details). Warning markers are regarded as source code forms, but have no defined lexical form.

Returns the ErrorInfo structure of a warning_marker node.

Types

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annotation_or_location()

View Source
-type annotation_or_location() :: erl_anno:anno() | erl_anno:location().
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encoding()

View Source (not exported)
-type encoding() :: utf8 | unicode | latin1.
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erl_parse()

View Source (not exported)
-type forms() :: syntaxTree() | [syntaxTree()].
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guard()

View Source (not exported)
-type guard() :: none | syntaxTree() | [syntaxTree()] | [[syntaxTree()]].
-type padding() :: none | integer().
-type syntaxTree() :: tree() | wrapper() | erl_parse().
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syntaxTreeAttributes()

View Source
-type syntaxTreeAttributes() ::
          #attr{pos :: term(),
                ann :: [term()],
                com :: none | #com{pre :: [syntaxTree()], post :: [syntaxTree()]}}.
-type tree() ::
          #tree{type :: atom(),
                attr ::
                    #attr{pos :: term(),
                          ann :: [term()],
                          com :: none | #com{pre :: [syntaxTree()], post :: [syntaxTree()]}},
                data :: term()}.
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wrapper()

View Source (not exported)
-type wrapper() ::
          #wrapper{type :: atom(),
                   attr ::
                       #attr{pos :: term(),
                             ann :: [term()],
                             com :: none | #com{pre :: [syntaxTree()], post :: [syntaxTree()]}},
                   tree :: erl_parse()}.

Functions

-spec nil() -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract empty list. The result represents "[]". The empty list is traditionally called "nil".

See also: is_list_skeleton/1, list/2.

-spec abstract(term()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the syntax tree corresponding to an Erlang term. Term must be a literal term, i.e., one that can be represented as a source code literal. Thus, it may not contain a process identifier, port, reference or function value as a subterm. The function recognises printable strings, in order to get a compact and readable representation. Evaluation fails with reason badarg if Term is not a literal term.

See also: concrete/1, is_literal/1.

-spec add_ann(term(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Appends the term Annotation to the list of user annotations of Node.

Note: this is equivalent to set_ann(Node, [Annotation | get_ann(Node)]), but potentially more efficient.

See also: get_ann/1, set_ann/2.

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add_postcomments(Cs, Node)

View Source
-spec add_postcomments([syntaxTree()], syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Appends Comments to the post-comments of Node.

Note: This is equivalent to set_postcomments(Node, get_postcomments(Node) ++ Comments), but potentially more efficient.

See also: add_precomments/2, comment/2, get_postcomments/1, join_comments/2, set_postcomments/2.

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add_precomments(Cs, Node)

View Source
-spec add_precomments([syntaxTree()], syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Appends Comments to the pre-comments of Node.

Note: This is equivalent to set_precomments(Node, get_precomments(Node) ++ Comments), but potentially more efficient.

See also: add_postcomments/2, comment/2, get_precomments/1, join_comments/2, set_precomments/2.

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annotated_type(Name, Type)

View Source
-spec annotated_type(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract annotated type expression. The result represents "*Name* :: *Type*".

See also: annotated_type_body/1, annotated_type_name/1.

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annotated_type_body(Node)

View Source
-spec annotated_type_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type subtrees of an annotated_type node.

See also: annotated_type/2.

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annotated_type_name(Node)

View Source
-spec annotated_type_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of an annotated_type node.

See also: annotated_type/2.

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application(Operator, Arguments)

View Source
-spec application(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract function application expression. If Arguments is [A1, ..., An], the result represents "*Operator*(*A1*, ..., *An*)".

See also: application/3, application_arguments/1, application_operator/1.

-spec application(none | syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract function application expression. If Module is none, this is call is equivalent to application(Function, Arguments), otherwise it is equivalent to application(module_qualifier(Module, Function), Arguments).

(This is a utility function.)

See also: application/2, module_qualifier/2.

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application_arguments(Node)

View Source
-spec application_arguments(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of argument subtrees of an application node.

See also: application/2.

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application_operator(Node)

View Source
-spec application_operator(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the operator subtree of an application node.

Note: if Node represents "*M*:*F*(...)", then the result is the subtree representing "*M*:*F*".

See also: application/2, module_qualifier/2.

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arity_qualifier(Body, Arity)

View Source
-spec arity_qualifier(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract arity qualifier. The result represents "*Body*/*Arity*".

See also: arity_qualifier_argument/1, arity_qualifier_body/1.

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arity_qualifier_argument(Node)

View Source
-spec arity_qualifier_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument (the arity) subtree of an arity_qualifier node.

See also: arity_qualifier/2.

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arity_qualifier_body(Node)

View Source
-spec arity_qualifier_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of an arity_qualifier node.

See also: arity_qualifier/2.

-spec atom(atom() | string()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract atom literal. The print name of the atom is the character sequence represented by Name.

See also: atom_literal/1, atom_literal/2, atom_name/1, atom_value/1, is_atom/2.

-spec atom_literal(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the literal string represented by an atom node. This includes surrounding single-quote characters if necessary. Characters beyond 255 will be escaped.

Note that e.g. the result of atom("x\ny") represents any and all of `x\ny'', `x\12y'', `x\012y'' and `x\^Jy\''; see string/1.

See also: atom/1, string/1.

-spec atom_literal(syntaxTree(), utf8 | unicode | latin1) -> string().

Returns the literal string represented by an atom node. This includes surrounding single-quote characters if necessary. Depending on the encoding a character beyond 255 will be escaped (latin1) or copied as is (utf8).

See also: atom/1, atom_literal/1, string/1.

-spec atom_name(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the printname of an atom node.

See also: atom/1.

-spec atom_value(syntaxTree()) -> atom().

Returns the value represented by an atom node.

See also: atom/1.

-spec attribute(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to attribute(Name, none).

-spec attribute(syntaxTree(), none | [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract program attribute. If Arguments is [A1, ..., An], the result represents "-*Name*(*A1*, ..., *An*).". Otherwise, if Arguments is none, the result represents "-*Name*.". The latter form makes it possible to represent preprocessor directives such as "-endif.". Attributes are source code forms.

Note: The preprocessor macro definition directive "-define(*Name*, *Body*)." has relatively few requirements on the syntactical form of Body (viewed as a sequence of tokens). The text node type can be used for a Body that is not a normal Erlang construct.

See also: attribute/1, attribute_arguments/1, attribute_name/1, is_form/1, text/1.

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attribute_arguments(Node)

View Source
-spec attribute_arguments(syntaxTree()) -> none | [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of argument subtrees of an attribute node, if any. If Node represents "-*Name*.", the result is none. Otherwise, if Node represents "-*Name*(*E1*, ..., *En*).", [E1, ..., E1] is returned.

See also: attribute/1.

-spec attribute_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of an attribute node.

See also: attribute/1.

-spec binary([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract binary-object template. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], the result represents "<<*F1*, ..., *Fn*>>".

See also: binary_field/2, binary_fields/1.

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binary_comp(Template, Body)

View Source
-spec binary_comp(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract binary comprehension. If Body is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "<<*Template* || *E1*, ..., *En*>>".

See also: binary_comp_body/1, binary_comp_template/1, generator/2.

-spec binary_comp_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a binary_comp node.

See also: binary_comp/2.

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binary_comp_template(Node)

View Source
-spec binary_comp_template(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the template subtree of a binary_comp node.

See also: binary_comp/2.

-spec binary_field(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to binary_field(Body, []).

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binary_field(Body, Types)

View Source
-spec binary_field(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract binary template field. If Types is the empty list, the result simply represents "*Body*", otherwise, if Types is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*Body*/*T1*-...-*Tn*".

See also: binary/1, binary_field/1, binary_field/3, binary_field_body/1, binary_field_size/1, binary_field_types/1.

-spec binary_field(syntaxTree(), none | syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract binary template field. If Size is none, this is equivalent to "binary_field(Body, Types)", otherwise it is equivalent to "binary_field(size_qualifier(Body, Size), Types)".

(This is a utility function.)

See also: binary/1, binary_field/2, size_qualifier/2.

-spec binary_field_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a binary_field.

See also: binary_field/2.

-spec binary_field_size(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the size specifier subtree of a binary_field node, if any. If Node represents "*Body*:*Size*" or "*Body*:*Size*/*T1*, ..., *Tn*", the result is Size, otherwise none is returned.

(This is a utility function.)

See also: binary_field/2, binary_field/3.

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binary_field_types(Node)

View Source
-spec binary_field_types(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of type-specifier subtrees of a binary_field node. If Node represents ".../*T1*, ..., *Tn*", the result is [T1, ..., Tn], otherwise the result is the empty list.

See also: binary_field/2.

-spec binary_fields(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of field subtrees of a binary node.

See also: binary/1, binary_field/2.

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binary_generator(Pattern, Body)

View Source
-spec binary_generator(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract binary_generator. The result represents "*Pattern*<- *Body*".

See also: binary_comp/2, binary_generator_body/1, binary_generator_pattern/1, list_comp/2.

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binary_generator_body(Node)

View Source
-spec binary_generator_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a generator node.

See also: binary_generator/2.

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binary_generator_pattern(Node)

View Source
-spec binary_generator_pattern(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the pattern subtree of a generator node.

See also: binary_generator/2.

-spec bitstring_type(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract bitstring type. The result represents "*<<_:M, _:_*N>>*".

See also: bitstring_type_m/1, bitstring_type_n/1.

-spec bitstring_type_m(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the number of start bits, M, of a bitstring_type node.

See also: bitstring_type/2.

-spec bitstring_type_n(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the segment size, N, of a bitstring_type node.

See also: bitstring_type/2.

-spec block_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract block expression. If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], the result represents "begin *B1*, ..., *Bn* end".

See also: block_expr_body/1.

-spec block_expr_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a block_expr node.

See also: block_expr/1.

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case_expr(Argument, Clauses)

View Source
-spec case_expr(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract case-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "case *Argument* of *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "case *Argument* of *P1**G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Pn**Gn* -> *Bn* end".

See also: case_expr_argument/1, case_expr_clauses/1, clause/3, if_expr/1.

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case_expr_argument(Node)

View Source
-spec case_expr_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument subtree of a case_expr node.

See also: case_expr/2.

-spec case_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a case_expr node.

See also: case_expr/2.

-spec catch_expr(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract catch-expression. The result represents "catch *Expr*".

See also: catch_expr_body/1.

-spec catch_expr_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a catch_expr node.

See also: catch_expr/1.

-spec char(char()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract character literal. The result represents "$*Name*", where Name corresponds to Value.

Note: the literal corresponding to a particular character value is not uniquely defined. E.g., the character "a" can be written both as "$a" and "$\141", and a Tab character can be written as "$\11", "$\011" or "$\t".

See also: char_literal/1, char_literal/2, char_value/1, is_char/2.

-spec char_literal(syntaxTree()) -> nonempty_string().

Returns the literal string represented by a char node. This includes the leading "$" character. Characters beyond 255 will be escaped.

See also: char/1.

-spec char_literal(syntaxTree(), encoding()) -> nonempty_string().

Returns the literal string represented by a char node. This includes the leading "$" character. Depending on the encoding a character beyond 255 will be escaped (latin1) or copied as is (utf8).

See also: char/1.

-spec char_value(syntaxTree()) -> char().

Returns the value represented by a char node.

See also: char/1.

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class_qualifier(Class, Body)

View Source
-spec class_qualifier(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract class qualifier. The result represents "*Class*:*Body*".

See also: class_qualifier_argument/1, class_qualifier_body/1, class_qualifier_stacktrace/1, try_expr/4.

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class_qualifier(Class, Body, Stacktrace)

View Source
-spec class_qualifier(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract class qualifier. The result represents "*Class*:*Body*:*Stacktrace*".

See also: class_qualifier_argument/1, class_qualifier_body/1, try_expr/4.

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class_qualifier_argument(Node)

View Source
-spec class_qualifier_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument (the class) subtree of a class_qualifier node.

See also: class_qualifier/2.

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class_qualifier_body(Node)

View Source
-spec class_qualifier_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a class_qualifier node.

See also: class_qualifier/2.

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class_qualifier_stacktrace(Node)

View Source
-spec class_qualifier_stacktrace(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the stacktrace subtree of a class_qualifier node.

See also: class_qualifier/2.

-spec clause(guard(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to clause([], Guard, Body).

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clause(Patterns, Guard, Body)

View Source
-spec clause([syntaxTree()], guard(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract clause. If Patterns is [P1, ..., Pn] and Body is [B1, ..., Bm], then if Guard is none, the result represents "(*P1*, ..., *Pn*) -> *B1*, ..., *Bm*", otherwise, unless Guard is a list, the result represents "(*P1*, ..., *Pn*) when *Guard* -> *B1*, ..., *Bm*".

For simplicity, the Guard argument may also be any of the following:

  • An empty list []. This is equivalent to passing none.
  • A nonempty list [E1, ..., Ej] of syntax trees. This is equivalent to passing conjunction([E1, ..., Ej]).
  • A nonempty list of lists of syntax trees [[E1_1, ..., E1_k1], ..., [Ej_1, ..., Ej_kj]], which is equivalent to passing disjunction([conjunction([E1_1, ..., E1_k1]), ..., conjunction([Ej_1, ..., Ej_kj])]).

See also: clause/2, clause_body/1, clause_guard/1, clause_patterns/1.

-spec clause_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Return the list of body subtrees of a clause node.

See also: clause/3.

-spec clause_guard(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the guard subtree of a clause node, if any. If Node represents "(*P1*, ..., *Pn*) when *Guard* -> *B1*, ..., *Bm*", Guard is returned. Otherwise, the result is none.

See also: clause/3.

-spec clause_patterns(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of pattern subtrees of a clause node.

See also: clause/3.

-spec comment([string()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to comment(none, Strings).

-spec comment(padding(), [string()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract comment with the given padding and text. If Strings is a (possibly empty) list ["*Txt1*", ..., "*TxtN*"], the result represents the source code text

     %Txt1
     ...
     %TxtN

Padding states the number of empty character positions to the left of the comment separating it horizontally from source code on the same line (if any). If Padding is none, a default positive number is used. If Padding is an integer less than 1, there should be no separating space. Comments are in themselves regarded as source program forms.

See also: comment/1, is_form/1.

-spec comment_padding(syntaxTree()) -> padding().

Returns the amount of padding before the comment, or none. The latter means that a default padding may be used.

See also: comment/2.

-spec comment_text(syntaxTree()) -> [string()].

Returns the lines of text of the abstract comment.

See also: comment/2.

-spec compact_list(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Yields the most compact form for an abstract list skeleton. The result either represents "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", where Tail is not a list skeleton, or otherwise simply "[*E1*, ..., *En*]". Annotations on subtrees of Node that represent list skeletons may be lost, but comments will be propagated to the result. Returns Node itself if Node does not represent a list skeleton.

See also: list/2, normalize_list/1.

-spec concrete(syntaxTree()) -> term().

Returns the Erlang term represented by a syntax tree. Evaluation fails with reason badarg if Node does not represent a literal term.

Note: Currently, the set of syntax trees which have a concrete representation is larger than the set of trees which can be built using the function abstract/1. An abstract character will be concretised as an integer, while abstract/1 does not at present yield an abstract character for any input. (Use the char/1 function to explicitly create an abstract character.)

Note: arity_qualifier nodes are recognized. This is to follow The Erlang Parser when it comes to wild attributes: both {F, A} and F/A are recognized, which makes it possible to turn wild attributes into recognized attributes without at the same time making it impossible to compile files using the new syntax with the old version of the Erlang Compiler.

See also: abstract/1, char/1, is_literal/1.

-spec conjunction([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract conjunction. If List is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "*E1*, ..., *En*".

See also: conjunction_body/1, disjunction/1.

-spec conjunction_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a conjunction node.

See also: conjunction/1.

-spec cons(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

"Optimising" list skeleton cons operation. Creates an abstract list skeleton whose first element is Head and whose tail corresponds to Tail. This is similar to list([Head], Tail), except that Tail may not be none, and that the result does not necessarily represent exactly "[*Head* | *Tail*]", but may depend on the Tail subtree. E.g., if Tail represents [X, Y], the result may represent "[*Head*, X, Y]", rather than "[*Head* | [X, Y]]". Annotations on Tail itself may be lost if Tail represents a list skeleton, but comments on Tail are propagated to the result.

See also: list/2, list_head/1, list_tail/1.

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constrained_function_type(FunctionType, FunctionConstraint)

View Source
-spec constrained_function_type(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract constrained function type. If FunctionConstraint is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "*FunctionType* when *C1*, ...*Cn*".

See also: constrained_function_type_argument/1, constrained_function_type_body/1.

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constrained_function_type_argument(Node)

View Source
-spec constrained_function_type_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the function constraint subtree of a constrained_function_type node.

See also: constrained_function_type/2.

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constrained_function_type_body(Node)

View Source
-spec constrained_function_type_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the function type subtree of a constrained_function_type node.

See also: constrained_function_type/2.

-spec constraint(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract (subtype) constraint. The result represents "*Name* :: *Type*".

See also: constraint_argument/1, constraint_body/1.

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constraint_argument(Node)

View Source
-spec constraint_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a constraint node.

See also: constraint/2.

-spec constraint_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the type subtree of a constraint node.

See also: constraint/2.

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copy_ann(Source, Target)

View Source
-spec copy_ann(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Copies the list of user annotations from Source to Target.

Note: this is equivalent to set_ann(Target, get_ann(Source)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: get_ann/1, set_ann/2.

-spec copy_attrs(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Copies the attributes from Source to Target.

Note: this is equivalent to set_attrs(Target, get_attrs(Source)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: get_attrs/1, set_attrs/2.

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copy_comments(Source, Target)

View Source
-spec copy_comments(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Copies the pre- and postcomments from Source to Target.

Note: This is equivalent to set_postcomments(set_precomments(Target, get_precomments(Source)), get_postcomments(Source)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: comment/2, get_postcomments/1, get_precomments/1, set_postcomments/2, set_precomments/2.

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copy_pos(Source, Target)

View Source
-spec copy_pos(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Copies the annotation from Source to Target.

This is equivalent to set_pos(Target, get_pos(Source)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: get_pos/1, set_pos/2.

-spec data(syntaxTree()) -> term().

For special purposes only. Returns the associated data of a syntax tree node. Evaluation fails with reason badarg if is_tree(Node) does not yield true.

See also: tree/2.

-spec disjunction([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract disjunction. If List is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "*E1*; ...; *En*".

See also: conjunction/1, disjunction_body/1.

-spec disjunction_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a disjunction node.

See also: disjunction/1.

-spec else_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract else-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "else *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "else *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Pn**Gn* -> *Bn* end".

See also: clause/3, else_expr_clauses/1, maybe_expr/2.

-spec else_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of an else_expr node.

See also: else_expr/1.

-spec eof_marker() -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract end-of-file marker. This represents the end of input when reading a sequence of source code forms. An end-of-file marker is itself regarded as a source code form (namely, the last in any sequence in which it occurs). It has no defined lexical form.

Note: this is retained only for backwards compatibility with existing parsers and tools.

See also: error_marker/1, is_form/1, warning_marker/1.

-spec error_marker(term()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract error marker. The result represents an occurrence of an error in the source code, with an associated Erlang I/O ErrorInfo structure given by Error (see module //stdlib/io for details). Error markers are regarded as source code forms, but have no defined lexical form.

Note: this is supported only for backwards compatibility with existing parsers and tools.

See also: eof_marker/0, error_marker_info/1, is_form/1, warning_marker/1.

-spec error_marker_info(syntaxTree()) -> term().

Returns the ErrorInfo structure of an error_marker node.

See also: error_marker/1.

-spec flatten_form_list(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Flattens sublists of a form_list node. Returns Node with all subtrees of type form_list recursively expanded, yielding a single "flat" abstract form sequence.

See also: form_list/1.

-spec float(float()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract floating-point literal. The lexical representation is the decimal floating-point numeral of Value.

See also: float_literal/1, float_value/1.

-spec float_literal(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the numeral string represented by a float node.

See also: float/1.

-spec float_value(syntaxTree()) -> float().

Returns the value represented by a float node. Note that floating-point values should usually not be compared for equality.

See also: float/1.

-spec form_list([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract sequence of "source code forms". If Forms is [F1, ..., Fn], where each Fi is a form (see is_form/1, the result represents

F1
     ...
     Fn

where the Fi are separated by one or more line breaks. A node of type form_list is itself regarded as a source code form; see flatten_form_list/1.

Note: this is simply a way of grouping source code forms as a single syntax tree, usually in order to form an Erlang module definition.

See also: flatten_form_list/1, form_list_elements/1, is_form/1.

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form_list_elements(Node)

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-spec form_list_elements(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of subnodes of a form_list node.

See also: form_list/1.

-spec fun_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract fun-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "fun *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi1*, ..., *Pim*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "fun (*P11*, ..., *P1m*) *G1* -> *B1*; ...; (*Pn1*, ..., *Pnm*) *Gn* -> *Bn* end".

See also: fun_expr_arity/1, fun_expr_clauses/1.

-spec fun_expr_arity(syntaxTree()) -> arity().

Returns the arity of a fun_expr node. The result is the number of parameter patterns in the first clause of the fun-expression; subsequent clauses are ignored.

An exception is thrown if fun_expr_clauses(Node) returns an empty list, or if the first element of that list is not a syntax tree C of type clause such that clause_patterns(C) is a nonempty list.

See also: clause/3, clause_patterns/1, fun_expr/1, fun_expr_clauses/1.

-spec fun_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a fun_expr node.

See also: fun_expr/1.

-spec fun_type() -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract fun of any type. The result represents "fun()".

-spec function(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract function definition. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "*Name**C1*; ...; *Name**Cn*.". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi1*, ..., *Pim*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "*Name*(*P11*, ..., *P1m*) *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Name*(*Pn1*, ..., *Pnm*) *Gn* -> *Bn*.". Function definitions are source code forms.

See also: function_arity/1, function_clauses/1, function_name/1, is_form/1.

-spec function_arity(syntaxTree()) -> arity().

Returns the arity of a function node. The result is the number of parameter patterns in the first clause of the function; subsequent clauses are ignored.

An exception is thrown if function_clauses(Node) returns an empty list, or if the first element of that list is not a syntax tree C of type clause such that clause_patterns(C) is a nonempty list.

See also: clause/3, clause_patterns/1, function/2, function_clauses/1.

-spec function_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a function node.

See also: function/2.

-spec function_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a function node.

See also: function/2.

-spec function_type(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to function_type(any_arity, Type).

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function_type(Arguments, Return)

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-spec function_type(any_arity | [syntaxTree()], syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract function type. If Arguments is [T1, ..., Tn], then if it occurs within a function specification, the result represents "(*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*"; otherwise it represents "fun((*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*)". If Arguments is any_arity, it represents "fun((...) -> *Return*)".

Note that the erl_parse representation is identical for "*FunctionType*" and "fun(*FunctionType*)".

See also: function_type_arguments/1, function_type_return/1.

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function_type_arguments(Node)

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-spec function_type_arguments(syntaxTree()) -> any_arity | [syntaxTree()].

Returns the argument types subtrees of a function_type node. If Node represents "fun((...) -> *Return*)", any_arity is returned; otherwise, if Node represents "(*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*" or "fun((*T1*, ...*Tn*) -> *Return*)", [T1, ..., Tn] is returned.

See also: function_type/1, function_type/2.

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function_type_return(Node)

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-spec function_type_return(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the return type subtrees of a function_type node.

See also: function_type/1, function_type/2.

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generator(Pattern, Body)

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-spec generator(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract generator. The result represents "*Pattern*<- *Body*".

See also: binary_comp/2, generator_body/1, generator_pattern/1, list_comp/2.

-spec generator_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a generator node.

See also: generator/2.

-spec generator_pattern(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the pattern subtree of a generator node.

See also: generator/2.

-spec get_ann(syntaxTree()) -> [term()].

Returns the list of user annotations associated with a syntax tree node. For a newly created node, this is the empty list. The annotations may be any terms.

See also: get_attrs/1, set_ann/2.

-spec get_attrs(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTreeAttributes().

Returns a representation of the attributes associated with a syntax tree node. The attributes are all the extra information that can be attached to a node. Currently, this includes position information, source code comments, and user annotations. The result of this function cannot be inspected directly; only attached to another node (see set_attrs/2).

For accessing individual attributes, see get_pos/1, get_ann/1, get_precomments/1 and get_postcomments/1.

See also: get_ann/1, get_pos/1, get_postcomments/1, get_precomments/1, set_attrs/2.

-spec get_pos(syntaxTree()) -> annotation_or_location().

Returns the annotation (see //stdlib/erl_anno) associated with Node. By default, all new tree nodes have their associated position information set to the integer zero. Use //stdlib/erl_anno:location/1 or //stdlib/erl_anno:line/1 to get the position information.

See also: get_attrs/1, set_pos/2.

-spec get_postcomments(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the associated post-comments of a node. This is a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order. When the code is formatted, post-comments are typically displayed to the right of and/or below the node. For example:

     {foo, X, Y}     % Post-comment of tuple

If possible, the comment should be moved past any following separator characters on the same line, rather than placing the separators on the following line. E.g.:

     foo([X | Xs], Y) ->
         foo(Xs, bar(X));     % Post-comment of 'bar(X)' node
      ...

(where the comment is moved past the rightmost ")" and the ";").

See also: comment/2, get_attrs/1, get_precomments/1, set_postcomments/2.

-spec get_precomments(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the associated pre-comments of a node. This is a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order. When the code is formatted, pre-comments are typically displayed directly above the node. For example:

     % Pre-comment of function
     foo(X) -> {bar, X}.

If possible, the comment should be moved before any preceding separator characters on the same line. E.g.:

     foo([X | Xs]) ->
         % Pre-comment of 'bar(X)' node
         [bar(X) | foo(Xs)];
     ...

(where the comment is moved before the "[").

See also: comment/2, get_attrs/1, get_postcomments/1, set_precomments/2.

-spec has_comments(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

Yields false if the node has no associated comments, and true otherwise.

Note: This is equivalent to (get_precomments(Node) == []) and (get_postcomments(Node) == []), but potentially more efficient.

See also: get_postcomments/1, get_precomments/1, remove_comments/1.

-spec if_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract if-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "if *C1*; ...; *Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "() *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "if *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Gn* -> *Bn* end".

See also: case_expr/2, clause/3, if_expr_clauses/1.

-spec if_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of an if_expr node.

See also: if_expr/1.

-spec implicit_fun(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract "implicit fun" expression. The result represents "fun *Name*". Name should represent either *F*/*A* or *M*:*F*/*A*

See also: arity_qualifier/2, implicit_fun/2, implicit_fun/3, implicit_fun_name/1, module_qualifier/2.

-spec implicit_fun(syntaxTree(), none | syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract "implicit fun" expression. If Arity is none, this is equivalent to implicit_fun(Name), otherwise it is equivalent to implicit_fun(arity_qualifier(Name, Arity)).

(This is a utility function.)

See also: implicit_fun/1, implicit_fun/3.

-spec implicit_fun(none | syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract module-qualified "implicit fun" expression. If Module is none, this is equivalent to implicit_fun(Name, Arity), otherwise it is equivalent to implicit_fun(module_qualifier(Module, arity_qualifier(Name, Arity)).

(This is a utility function.)

See also: implicit_fun/1, implicit_fun/2.

-spec implicit_fun_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of an implicit_fun node.

Note: if Node represents "fun *N*/*A*" or "fun *M*:*N*/*A*", then the result is the subtree representing "*N*/*A*" or "*M*:*N*/*A*", respectively.

See also: arity_qualifier/2, implicit_fun/1, module_qualifier/2.

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infix_expr(Left, Operator, Right)

View Source
-spec infix_expr(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract infix operator expression. The result represents "*Left**Operator**Right*".

See also: infix_expr_left/1, infix_expr_operator/1, infix_expr_right/1, prefix_expr/2.

-spec infix_expr_left(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the left argument subtree of an infix_expr node.

See also: infix_expr/3.

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infix_expr_operator(Node)

View Source
-spec infix_expr_operator(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the operator subtree of an infix_expr node.

See also: infix_expr/3.

-spec infix_expr_right(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the right argument subtree of an infix_expr node.

See also: infix_expr/3.

-spec integer(integer()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract integer literal. The lexical representation is the canonical decimal numeral of Value.

See also: integer_literal/1, integer_value/1, is_integer/2.

-spec integer_literal(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the numeral string represented by an integer node.

See also: integer/1.

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integer_range_type(Low, High)

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-spec integer_range_type(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract range type. The result represents "*Low* .. *High*".

See also: integer_range_type_high/1, integer_range_type_low/1.

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integer_range_type_high(Node)

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-spec integer_range_type_high(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the high limit of an integer_range_type node.

See also: integer_range_type/2.

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integer_range_type_low(Node)

View Source
-spec integer_range_type_low(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the low limit of an integer_range_type node.

See also: integer_range_type/2.

-spec integer_value(syntaxTree()) -> integer().

Returns the value represented by an integer node.

See also: integer/1.

-spec is_atom(syntaxTree(), atom()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node has type atom and represents Value, otherwise false.

See also: atom/1.

-spec is_char(syntaxTree(), char()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node has type char and represents Value, otherwise false.

See also: char/1.

-spec is_form(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node is a syntax tree representing a so-called "source code form", otherwise false. Forms are the Erlang source code units which, placed in sequence, constitute an Erlang program. Current form types are:

`attribute``comment``error_marker``eof_marker`
`form_list``function``warning_marker``text`

See also: attribute/2, comment/2, eof_marker/0, error_marker/1, form_list/1, function/2, type/1, warning_marker/1.

-spec is_integer(syntaxTree(), integer()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node has type integer and represents Value, otherwise false.

See also: integer/1.

-spec is_leaf(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node is a leaf node, otherwise false. The currently recognised leaf node types are:

`atom``char``comment``eof_marker``error_marker`
`float``fun_type``integer``nil``operator``string`
`text``underscore``variable``warning_marker`

A node of type map_expr is a leaf node if and only if it has no argument and no fields. A node of type map_type is a leaf node if and only if it has no fields (any_size). A node of type tuple is a leaf node if and only if its arity is zero. A node of type tuple_type is a leaf node if and only if it has no elements (any_size).

Note: not all literals are leaf nodes, and vice versa. E.g., tuples with nonzero arity and nonempty lists may be literals, but are not leaf nodes. Variables, on the other hand, are leaf nodes but not literals.

See also: is_literal/1, type/1.

-spec is_list_skeleton(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node has type list or nil, otherwise false.

See also: list/2, nil/0.

-spec is_literal(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node represents a literal term, otherwise false. This function returns true if and only if the value of concrete(Node) is defined.

See also: abstract/1, concrete/1.

-spec is_proper_list(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node represents a proper list, and false otherwise. A proper list is a list skeleton either on the form "[]" or "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", or "[... | *Tail*]" where recursively Tail also represents a proper list.

Note: Since Node is a syntax tree, the actual run-time values corresponding to its subtrees may often be partially or completely unknown. Thus, if Node represents e.g. "[... | Ns]" (where Ns is a variable), then the function will return false, because it is not known whether Ns will be bound to a list at run-time. If Node instead represents e.g. "[1, 2, 3]" or "[A | []]", then the function will return true.

See also: list/2.

-spec is_string(syntaxTree(), string()) -> boolean().

Returns true if Node has type string and represents Value, otherwise false.

See also: string/1.

-spec is_tree(syntaxTree()) -> boolean().

For special purposes only. Returns true if Tree is an abstract syntax tree and false otherwise.

Note: this function yields false for all "old-style" erl_parse-compatible "parse trees".

See also: tree/2.

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join_comments(Source, Target)

View Source
-spec join_comments(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Appends the comments of Source to the current comments of Target.

Note: This is equivalent to add_postcomments(get_postcomments(Source), add_precomments(get_precomments(Source), Target)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: add_postcomments/2, add_precomments/2, comment/2, get_postcomments/1, get_precomments/1.

-spec list([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to list(List, none).

-spec list([syntaxTree()], none | syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Constructs an abstract list skeleton. The result has type list or nil. If List is a nonempty list [E1, ..., En], the result has type list and represents either "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", if Tail is none, or otherwise "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]". If List is the empty list, Tailmust be none, and in that case the result has type nil and represents "[]" (see nil/0).

The difference between lists as semantic objects (built up of individual "cons" and "nil" terms) and the various syntactic forms for denoting lists may be bewildering at first. This module provides functions both for exact control of the syntactic representation as well as for the simple composition and deconstruction in terms of cons and head/tail operations.

Note: in list(Elements, none), the "nil" list terminator is implicit and has no associated information (see get_attrs/1), while in the seemingly equivalent list(Elements, Tail) when Tail has type nil, the list terminator subtree Tail may have attached attributes such as position, comments, and annotations, which will be preserved in the result.

See also: compact_list/1, cons/2, get_attrs/1, is_list_skeleton/1, is_proper_list/1, list/1, list_elements/1, list_head/1, list_length/1, list_prefix/1, list_suffix/1, list_tail/1, nil/0, normalize_list/1.

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list_comp(Template, Body)

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-spec list_comp(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract list comprehension. If Body is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "[*Template* || *E1*, ..., *En*]".

See also: generator/2, list_comp_body/1, list_comp_template/1.

-spec list_comp_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a list_comp node.

See also: list_comp/2.

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list_comp_template(Node)

View Source
-spec list_comp_template(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the template subtree of a list_comp node.

See also: list_comp/2.

-spec list_elements(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of element subtrees of a list skeleton. Node must represent a proper list. E.g., if Node represents "[*X1*, *X2* | [*X3*, *X4* | []]", then list_elements(Node) yields the list [X1, X2, X3, X4].

See also: is_proper_list/1, list/2.

-spec list_head(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the head element subtree of a list node. If Node represents "[*Head* ...]", the result will represent "*Head*".

See also: cons/2, list/2, list_tail/1.

-spec list_length(syntaxTree()) -> non_neg_integer().

Returns the number of element subtrees of a list skeleton. Node must represent a proper list. E.g., if Node represents "[X1 | [X2, X3 | [X4, X5, X6]]]", then list_length(Node) returns the integer 6.

Note: this is equivalent to length(list_elements(Node)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: is_proper_list/1, list/2, list_elements/1.

-spec list_prefix(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the prefix element subtrees of a list node. If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En*]" or "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", the returned value is [E1, ..., En].

See also: list/2.

-spec list_suffix(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the suffix subtree of a list node, if one exists. If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", the returned value is Tail, otherwise, i.e., if Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", none is returned.

Note that even if this function returns some Tail that is not none, the type of Tail can be nil, if the tail has been given explicitly, and the list skeleton has not been compacted (see compact_list/1).

See also: compact_list/1, list/2, nil/0.

-spec list_tail(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the tail of a list node. If Node represents a single-element list "[*E*]", then the result has type nil, representing "[]". If Node represents "[*E1*, *E2* ...]", the result will represent "[*E2* ...]", and if Node represents "[*Head* | *Tail*]", the result will represent "*Tail*".

See also: cons/2, list/2, list_head/1.

-spec macro(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to macro(Name, none).

-spec macro(syntaxTree(), none | [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract macro application. If Arguments is none, the result represents "?*Name*", otherwise, if Arguments is [A1, ..., An], the result represents "?*Name*(*A1*, ..., *An*)".

Notes: if Arguments is the empty list, the result will thus represent "?*Name*()", including a pair of matching parentheses.

The only syntactical limitation imposed by the preprocessor on the arguments to a macro application (viewed as sequences of tokens) is that they must be balanced with respect to parentheses, brackets, begin ... end, case ... end, etc. The text node type can be used to represent arguments which are not regular Erlang constructs.

See also: macro/1, macro_arguments/1, macro_name/1, text/1.

-spec macro_arguments(syntaxTree()) -> none | [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of argument subtrees of a macro node, if any. If Node represents "?*Name*", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "?*Name*(*A1*, ..., *An*)", [A1, ..., An] is returned.

See also: macro/2.

-spec macro_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a macro node.

See also: macro/2.

-spec make_tree(atom(), [[syntaxTree()]]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates a syntax tree with the given type and subtrees. Type must be a node type name (see type/1) that does not denote a leaf node type (see is_leaf/1). Groups must be a nonempty list of groups of syntax trees, representing the subtrees of a node of the given type, in left-to-right order as they would occur in the printed program text, grouped by category as done by subtrees/1.

The result of copy_attrs(Node, make_tree(type(Node), subtrees(Node))) (see update_tree/2) represents the same source code text as the original Node, assuming that subtrees(Node) yields a nonempty list. However, it does not necessarily have the same data representation as Node.

See also: copy_attrs/2, is_leaf/1, subtrees/1, type/1, update_tree/2.

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map_comp(Template, Body)

View Source
-spec map_comp(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map comprehension. If Body is [E1, ..., En], the result represents "#{*Template* || *E1*, ..., *En*}".

See also: generator/2, map_comp_body/1, map_comp_template/1.

-spec map_comp_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a map_comp node.

See also: map_comp/2.

-spec map_comp_template(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the template subtree of a map_comp node.

See also: map_comp/2.

-spec map_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to map_expr(none, Fields).

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map_expr(Argument, Fields)

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-spec map_expr(none | syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map expression. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], then if Argument is none, the result represents "#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}", otherwise it represents "*Argument*#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}".

See also: map_expr/1, map_expr_argument/1, map_expr_fields/1, map_field_assoc/2, map_field_exact/2.

-spec map_expr_argument(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the argument subtree of a map_expr node, if any. If Node represents "#{...}", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "*Argument*#{...}", Argument is returned.

See also: map_expr/2.

-spec map_expr_fields(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of field subtrees of a map_expr node.

See also: map_expr/2.

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map_field_assoc(Name, Value)

View Source
-spec map_field_assoc(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map assoc field. The result represents "*Name* => *Value*".

See also: map_expr/2, map_field_assoc_name/1, map_field_assoc_value/1.

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map_field_assoc_name(Node)

View Source
-spec map_field_assoc_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a map_field_assoc node.

See also: map_field_assoc/2.

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map_field_assoc_value(Node)

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-spec map_field_assoc_value(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the value subtree of a map_field_assoc node.

See also: map_field_assoc/2.

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map_field_exact(Name, Value)

View Source
-spec map_field_exact(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map exact field. The result represents "*Name* := *Value*".

See also: map_expr/2, map_field_exact_name/1, map_field_exact_value/1.

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map_field_exact_name(Node)

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-spec map_field_exact_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a map_field_exact node.

See also: map_field_exact/2.

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map_field_exact_value(Node)

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-spec map_field_exact_value(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the value subtree of a map_field_exact node.

See also: map_field_exact/2.

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map_generator(Pattern, Body)

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-spec map_generator(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map_generator. The result represents "*Pattern*<- *Body*".

See also: list_comp/2, map_comp/2, map_generator_body/1, map_generator_pattern/1.

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map_generator_body(Node)

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-spec map_generator_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a generator node.

See also: map_generator/2.

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map_generator_pattern(Node)

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-spec map_generator_pattern(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the pattern subtree of a generator node.

See also: map_generator/2.

-spec map_type() -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to map_type(any_size).

-spec map_type(any_size | [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract type map. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], the result represents "#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}"; otherwise, if Fields is any_size, it represents "map/0".

See also: map_type_fields/1.

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map_type_assoc(Name, Value)

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-spec map_type_assoc(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map type assoc field. The result represents "*Name* => *Value*".

See also: map_type/1, map_type_assoc_name/1, map_type_assoc_value/1.

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map_type_assoc_name(Node)

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-spec map_type_assoc_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a map_type_assoc node.

See also: map_type_assoc/2.

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map_type_assoc_value(Node)

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-spec map_type_assoc_value(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the value subtree of a map_type_assoc node.

See also: map_type_assoc/2.

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map_type_exact(Name, Value)

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-spec map_type_exact(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract map type exact field. The result represents "*Name* := *Value*".

See also: map_type/1, map_type_exact_name/1, map_type_exact_value/1.

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map_type_exact_name(Node)

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-spec map_type_exact_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a map_type_exact node.

See also: map_type_exact/2.

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map_type_exact_value(Node)

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-spec map_type_exact_value(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the value subtree of a map_type_exact node.

See also: map_type_exact/2.

-spec map_type_fields(syntaxTree()) -> any_size | [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of field subtrees of a map_type node. If Node represents "map/0", any_size is returned; otherwise, if Node represents "#{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}", [F1, ..., Fn] is returned.

See also: map_type/0, map_type/1.

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match_expr(Pattern, Body)

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-spec match_expr(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract match-expression. The result represents "*Pattern* = *Body*".

See also: match_expr_body/1, match_expr_pattern/1.

-spec match_expr_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a match_expr node.

See also: match_expr/2.

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match_expr_pattern(Node)

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-spec match_expr_pattern(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the pattern subtree of a match_expr node.

See also: match_expr/2.

-spec maybe_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to maybe_expr(Body, none).

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maybe_expr(Body, OptionalElse)

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-spec maybe_expr([syntaxTree()], none | syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract maybe-expression. If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], and OptionalElse is none, the result represents "maybe *B1*, ..., *Bn* end". If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], and OptionalElse reprsents an else_expr node with clauses [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "maybe *B1*, ..., *Bn* else *C1*; ..., *Cn* end".

See clause for documentation on erl_parse clauses.

See also: maybe_expr_body/1, maybe_expr_else/1.

-spec maybe_expr_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a maybe_expr node.

See also: maybe_expr/2.

-spec maybe_expr_else(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the else subtree of a maybe_expr node.

See also: maybe_expr/2.

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maybe_match_expr(Pattern, Body)

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-spec maybe_match_expr(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract maybe-expression, as used in maybe blocks. The result represents "*Pattern* ?= *Body*".

See also: maybe_expr/2, maybe_match_expr_body/1, maybe_match_expr_pattern/1.

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maybe_match_expr_body(Node)

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-spec maybe_match_expr_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a maybe_expr node.

See also: maybe_match_expr/2.

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maybe_match_expr_pattern(Node)

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-spec maybe_match_expr_pattern(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the pattern subtree of a maybe_expr node.

See also: maybe_match_expr/2.

-spec meta(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates a meta-representation of a syntax tree. The result represents an Erlang expression "*MetaTree*" which, if evaluated, will yield a new syntax tree representing the same source code text as Tree (although the actual data representation may be different). The expression represented by MetaTree is implementation independent with regard to the data structures used by the abstract syntax tree implementation. Comments attached to nodes of Tree will be preserved, but other attributes are lost.

Any node in Tree whose node type is variable (see type/1), and whose list of annotations (see get_ann/1) contains the atom meta_var, will remain unchanged in the resulting tree, except that exactly one occurrence of meta_var is removed from its annotation list.

The main use of the function meta/1 is to transform a data structure Tree, which represents a piece of program code, into a form that is representation independent when printed. E.g., suppose Tree represents a variable named "V". Then (assuming a function print/1 for printing syntax trees), evaluating print(abstract(Tree)) - simply using abstract/1 to map the actual data structure onto a syntax tree representation - would output a string that might look something like "{tree, variable, ..., "V", ...}", which is obviously dependent on the implementation of the abstract syntax trees. This could e.g. be useful for caching a syntax tree in a file. However, in some situations like in a program generator generator (with two "generator"), it may be unacceptable. Using print(meta(Tree)) instead would output a representation independent syntax tree generating expression; in the above case, something like "erl_syntax:variable("V")".

See also: abstract/1, get_ann/1, type/1.

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module_qualifier(Module, Body)

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-spec module_qualifier(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract module qualifier. The result represents "*Module*:*Body*".

See also: module_qualifier_argument/1, module_qualifier_body/1.

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module_qualifier_argument(Node)

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-spec module_qualifier_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument (the module) subtree of a module_qualifier node.

See also: module_qualifier/2.

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module_qualifier_body(Node)

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-spec module_qualifier_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a module_qualifier node.

See also: module_qualifier/2.

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named_fun_expr(Name, Clauses)

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-spec named_fun_expr(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract named fun-expression. If Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn], the result represents "fun *Name**C1*; ...; *Name**Cn* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi1*, ..., *Pim*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "fun *Name*(*P11*, ..., *P1m*) *G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Name*(*Pn1*, ..., *Pnm*) *Gn* -> *Bn* end".

See also: named_fun_expr_arity/1, named_fun_expr_clauses/1, named_fun_expr_name/1.

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named_fun_expr_arity(Node)

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-spec named_fun_expr_arity(syntaxTree()) -> arity().

Returns the arity of a named_fun_expr node. The result is the number of parameter patterns in the first clause of the named fun-expression; subsequent clauses are ignored.

An exception is thrown if named_fun_expr_clauses(Node) returns an empty list, or if the first element of that list is not a syntax tree C of type clause such that clause_patterns(C) is a nonempty list.

See also: clause/3, clause_patterns/1, named_fun_expr/2, named_fun_expr_clauses/1.

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named_fun_expr_clauses(Node)

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-spec named_fun_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a named_fun_expr node.

See also: named_fun_expr/2.

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named_fun_expr_name(Node)

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-spec named_fun_expr_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a named_fun_expr node.

See also: named_fun_expr/2.

-spec normalize_list(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Expands an abstract list skeleton to its most explicit form. If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En* | *Tail*]", the result represents "[*E1* | ... [*En* | *Tail1*] ... ]", where Tail1 is the result of normalize_list(Tail). If Node represents "[*E1*, ..., *En*]", the result simply represents "[*E1* | ... [*En* | []] ... ]". If Node does not represent a list skeleton, Node itself is returned.

See also: compact_list/1, list/2.

-spec operator(atom() | string()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract operator. The name of the operator is the character sequence represented by Name. This is analogous to the print name of an atom, but an operator is never written within single-quotes; e.g., the result of operator('++') represents "++" rather than "'++'".

See also: atom/1, operator_literal/1, operator_name/1.

-spec operator_literal(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the literal string represented by an operator node. This is simply the operator name as a string.

See also: operator/1.

-spec operator_name(syntaxTree()) -> atom().

Returns the name of an operator node. Note that the name is returned as an atom.

See also: operator/1.

-spec parentheses(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract parenthesised expression. The result represents "(*Body*)", independently of the context.

See also: parentheses_body/1.

-spec parentheses_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a parentheses node.

See also: parentheses/1.

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prefix_expr(Operator, Argument)

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-spec prefix_expr(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract prefix operator expression. The result represents "*Operator**Argument*".

See also: infix_expr/3, prefix_expr_argument/1, prefix_expr_operator/1.

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prefix_expr_argument(Node)

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-spec prefix_expr_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument subtree of a prefix_expr node.

See also: prefix_expr/2.

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prefix_expr_operator(Node)

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-spec prefix_expr_operator(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the operator subtree of a prefix_expr node.

See also: prefix_expr/2.

-spec receive_expr([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to receive_expr(Clauses, none, []).

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receive_expr(Clauses, Timeout, Action)

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-spec receive_expr([syntaxTree()], none | syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract receive-expression. If Timeout is none, the result represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* end" (the Action argument is ignored). Otherwise, if Clauses is [C1, ..., Cn] and Action is [A1, ..., Am], the result represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* after *Timeout* -> *A1*, ..., *Am* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*Pi*) *Gi* -> *Bi*", then the result represents "receive *P1**G1* -> *B1*; ...; *Pn**Gn* -> *Bn* ... end".

Note that in Erlang, a receive-expression must have at least one clause if no timeout part is specified.

See also: case_expr/2, clause/3, receive_expr/1, receive_expr_action/1, receive_expr_clauses/1, receive_expr_timeout/1.

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receive_expr_action(Node)

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-spec receive_expr_action(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of action body subtrees of a receive_expr node. If Node represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* end", this is the empty list.

See also: receive_expr/3.

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receive_expr_clauses(Node)

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-spec receive_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of clause subtrees of a receive_expr node.

See also: receive_expr/3.

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receive_expr_timeout(Node)

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-spec receive_expr_timeout(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the timeout subtree of a receive_expr node, if any. If Node represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* end", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "receive *C1*; ...; *Cn* after *Timeout* -> ... end", Timeout is returned.

See also: receive_expr/3.

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record_access(Argument, Type, Field)

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-spec record_access(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract record field access expression. The result represents "*Argument*#*Type*.*Field*".

See also: record_access_argument/1, record_access_field/1, record_access_type/1, record_expr/3.

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record_access_argument(Node)

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-spec record_access_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument subtree of a record_access node.

See also: record_access/3.

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record_access_field(Node)

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-spec record_access_field(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the field subtree of a record_access node.

See also: record_access/3.

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record_access_type(Node)

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-spec record_access_type(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type subtree of a record_access node.

See also: record_access/3.

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record_expr(Type, Fields)

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-spec record_expr(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to record_expr(none, Type, Fields).

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record_expr(Argument, Type, Fields)

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-spec record_expr(none | syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract record expression. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], then if Argument is none, the result represents "#*Type*{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}", otherwise it represents "*Argument*#*Type*{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}".

See also: record_access/3, record_expr/2, record_expr_argument/1, record_expr_fields/1, record_expr_type/1, record_field/2, record_index_expr/2.

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record_expr_argument(Node)

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-spec record_expr_argument(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the argument subtree of a record_expr node, if any. If Node represents "#*Type*{...}", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "*Argument*#*Type*{...}", Argument is returned.

See also: record_expr/3.

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record_expr_fields(Node)

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-spec record_expr_fields(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of field subtrees of a record_expr node.

See also: record_expr/3.

-spec record_expr_type(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type subtree of a record_expr node.

See also: record_expr/3.

-spec record_field(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to record_field(Name, none).

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record_field(Name, Value)

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-spec record_field(syntaxTree(), none | syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract record field specification. If Value is none, the result represents simply "*Name*", otherwise it represents "*Name* = *Value*".

See also: record_expr/3, record_field_name/1, record_field_value/1.

-spec record_field_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a record_field node.

See also: record_field/2.

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record_field_value(Node)

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-spec record_field_value(syntaxTree()) -> none | syntaxTree().

Returns the value subtree of a record_field node, if any. If Node represents "*Name*", none is returned. Otherwise, if Node represents "*Name* = *Value*", Value is returned.

See also: record_field/2.

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record_index_expr(Type, Field)

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-spec record_index_expr(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract record field index expression. The result represents "#*Type*.*Field*".

(Note: the function name record_index/2 is reserved by the Erlang compiler, which is why that name could not be used for this constructor.)

See also: record_expr/3, record_index_expr_field/1, record_index_expr_type/1.

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record_index_expr_field(Node)

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-spec record_index_expr_field(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the field subtree of a record_index_expr node.

See also: record_index_expr/2.

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record_index_expr_type(Node)

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-spec record_index_expr_type(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type subtree of a record_index_expr node.

See also: record_index_expr/2.

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record_type(Name, Fields)

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-spec record_type(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract record type. If Fields is [F1, ..., Fn], the result represents "#*Name*{*F1*, ..., *Fn*}".

See also: record_type_fields/1, record_type_name/1.

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record_type_field(Name, Type)

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-spec record_type_field(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract record type field. The result represents "*Name* :: *Type*".

See also: record_type_field_name/1, record_type_field_type/1.

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record_type_field_name(Node)

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-spec record_type_field_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a record_type_field node.

See also: record_type_field/2.

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record_type_field_type(Node)

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-spec record_type_field_type(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type subtree of a record_type_field node.

See also: record_type_field/2.

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record_type_fields(Node)

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-spec record_type_fields(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the fields subtree of a record_type node.

See also: record_type/2.

-spec record_type_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the name subtree of a record_type node.

See also: record_type/2.

-spec remove_comments(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Clears the associated comments of Node.

Note: This is equivalent to set_precomments(set_postcomments(Node, []), []), but potentially more efficient.

See also: set_postcomments/2, set_precomments/2.

-spec revert(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns an erl_parse-compatible representation of a syntax tree, if possible. If Tree represents a well-formed Erlang program or expression, the conversion should work without problems. Typically, is_tree/1 yields true if conversion failed (i.e., the result is still an abstract syntax tree), and false otherwise.

The is_tree/1 test is not completely foolproof. For a few special node types (e.g. arity_qualifier), if such a node occurs in a context where it is not expected, it will be left unchanged as a non-reverted subtree of the result. This can only happen if Tree does not actually represent legal Erlang code.

See also: //stdlib/erl_parse, revert_forms/1.

-spec revert_forms(forms()) -> [erl_parse()].

Reverts a sequence of Erlang source code forms. The sequence can be given either as a form_list syntax tree (possibly nested), or as a list of "program form" syntax trees. If successful, the corresponding flat list of erl_parse-compatible syntax trees is returned (see revert/1). If some program form could not be reverted, {error, Form} is thrown. Standalone comments in the form sequence are discarded.

See also: form_list/1, is_form/1, revert/1.

-spec set_ann(syntaxTree(), [term()]) -> syntaxTree().

Sets the list of user annotations of Node to Annotations.

See also: add_ann/2, copy_ann/2, get_ann/1.

-spec set_attrs(syntaxTree(), syntaxTreeAttributes()) -> syntaxTree().

Sets the attributes of Node to Attributes.

See also: copy_attrs/2, get_attrs/1.

-spec set_pos(syntaxTree(), annotation_or_location()) -> syntaxTree().

Sets the position information of Node to Pos.

See also: copy_pos/2, get_pos/1.

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set_postcomments(Node, Cs)

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-spec set_postcomments(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Sets the post-comments of Node to Comments. Comments should be a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order

See also: add_postcomments/2, comment/2, copy_comments/2, get_postcomments/1, join_comments/2, remove_comments/1, set_precomments/2.

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set_precomments(Node, Cs)

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-spec set_precomments(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Sets the pre-comments of Node to Comments. Comments should be a possibly empty list of abstract comments, in top-down textual order.

See also: add_precomments/2, comment/2, copy_comments/2, get_precomments/1, join_comments/2, remove_comments/1, set_postcomments/2.

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size_qualifier(Body, Size)

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-spec size_qualifier(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract size qualifier. The result represents "*Body*:*Size*".

See also: size_qualifier_argument/1, size_qualifier_body/1.

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size_qualifier_argument(Node)

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-spec size_qualifier_argument(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the argument subtree (the size) of a size_qualifier node.

See also: size_qualifier/2.

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size_qualifier_body(Node)

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-spec size_qualifier_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the body subtree of a size_qualifier node.

See also: size_qualifier/2.

-spec string(string()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract string literal. The result represents "*Text*" (including the surrounding double-quotes), where Text corresponds to the sequence of characters in Value, but not representing a specific string literal.

For example, the result of string("x\ny") represents any and all of "x\ny", "x\12y", "x\012y" and "x\^Jy"; see char/1.

See also: char/1, is_string/2, string_literal/1, string_literal/2, string_value/1.

-spec string_literal(syntaxTree()) -> nonempty_string().

Returns the literal string represented by a string node. This includes surrounding double-quote characters. Characters beyond 255 will be escaped.

See also: string/1.

-spec string_literal(syntaxTree(), encoding()) -> nonempty_string().

Returns the literal string represented by a string node. This includes surrounding double-quote characters. Depending on the encoding characters beyond 255 will be escaped (latin1) or copied as is (utf8).

See also: string/1.

-spec string_value(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the value represented by a string node.

See also: string/1.

-spec subtrees(syntaxTree()) -> [[syntaxTree()]].

Returns the grouped list of all subtrees of a syntax tree. If Node is a leaf node (see is_leaf/1), this is the empty list, otherwise the result is always a nonempty list, containing the lists of subtrees of Node, in left-to-right order as they occur in the printed program text, and grouped by category. Often, each group contains only a single subtree.

Depending on the type of Node, the size of some groups may be variable (e.g., the group consisting of all the elements of a tuple), while others always contain the same number of elements - usually exactly one (e.g., the group containing the argument expression of a case-expression). Note, however, that the exact structure of the returned list (for a given node type) should in general not be depended upon, since it might be subject to change without notice.

The function subtrees/1 and the constructor functions make_tree/2 and update_tree/2 can be a great help if one wants to traverse a syntax tree, visiting all its subtrees, but treat nodes of the tree in a uniform way in most or all cases. Using these functions makes this simple, and also assures that your code is not overly sensitive to extensions of the syntax tree data type, because any node types not explicitly handled by your code can be left to a default case.

For example:

     postorder(F, Tree) ->
        F(case subtrees(Tree) of
            [] -> Tree;
            List -> update_tree(Tree,
                                [[postorder(F, Subtree)
                                  || Subtree &lt;- Group]
                                 || Group &lt;- List])
          end).

maps the function F on Tree and all its subtrees, doing a post-order traversal of the syntax tree. (Note the use of update_tree/2 to preserve node attributes.) For a simple function like:

     f(Node) ->
        case type(Node) of
            atom -> atom("a_" ++ atom_name(Node));
            _ -> Node
        end.

the call postorder(fun f/1, Tree) will yield a new representation of Tree in which all atom names have been extended with the prefix "a_", but nothing else (including comments, annotations and line numbers) has been changed.

See also: copy_attrs/2, is_leaf/1, make_tree/2, type/1.

-spec text(string()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract piece of source code text. The result represents exactly the sequence of characters in String. This is useful in cases when one wants full control of the resulting output, e.g., for the appearance of floating-point numbers or macro definitions.

See also: text_string/1.

-spec text_string(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the character sequence represented by a text node.

See also: text/1.

-spec tree(atom()) -> tree().

Equivalent to tree(Type, []).

-spec tree(atom(), term()) -> tree().

For special purposes only. Creates an abstract syntax tree node with type tag Type and associated data Data.

This function and the related is_tree/1 and data/1 provide a uniform way to extend the set of erl_parse node types. The associated data is any term, whose format may depend on the type tag.

Notes:

  • Any nodes created outside of this module must have type tags distinct from those currently defined by this module; see type/1 for a complete list.
  • The type tag of a syntax tree node may also be used as a primary tag by the erl_parse representation; in that case, the selector functions for that node type must handle both the abstract syntax tree and the erl_parse form. The function type(T) should return the correct type tag regardless of the representation of T, so that the user sees no difference between erl_syntax and erl_parse nodes.

See also: data/1, is_tree/1, type/1.

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try_after_expr(Body, After)

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-spec try_after_expr([syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to try_expr(Body, [], [], After).

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try_expr(Body, Handlers)

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-spec try_expr([syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to try_expr(Body, [], Handlers).

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try_expr(Body, Clauses, Handlers)

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-spec try_expr([syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to try_expr(Body, Clauses, Handlers, []).

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try_expr(Body, Clauses, Handlers, After)

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-spec try_expr([syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()], [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract try-expression. If Body is [B1, ..., Bn], Clauses is [C1, ..., Cj], Handlers is [H1, ..., Hk], and After is [A1, ..., Am], the result represents "try *B1*, ..., *Bn* of *C1*; ...; *Cj* catch *H1*; ...; *Hk* after *A1*, ..., *Am* end". More exactly, if each Ci represents "(*CPi*) *CGi* -> *CBi*", and each Hi represents "(*HPi*) *HGi* -> *HBi*", then the result represents "try *B1*, ..., *Bn* of *CP1**CG1* -> *CB1*; ...; *CPj**CGj* -> *CBj* catch *HP1**HG1* -> *HB1*; ...; *HPk**HGk* -> *HBk* after *A1*, ..., *Am* end"; see case_expr/2. If Clauses is the empty list, the of ... section is left out. If After is the empty list, the after ... section is left out. If Handlers is the empty list, and After is nonempty, the catch ... section is left out.

See also: case_expr/2, class_qualifier/2, clause/3, try_after_expr/2, try_expr/2, try_expr/3, try_expr_after/1, try_expr_body/1, try_expr_clauses/1, try_expr_handlers/1.

-spec try_expr_after(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of "after" subtrees of a try_expr node.

See also: try_expr/4.

-spec try_expr_body(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of body subtrees of a try_expr node.

See also: try_expr/4.

-spec try_expr_clauses(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of case-clause subtrees of a try_expr node. If Node represents "try *Body* catch *H1*; ...; *Hn* end", the result is the empty list.

See also: try_expr/4.

-spec try_expr_handlers(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of handler-clause subtrees of a try_expr node.

See also: try_expr/4.

-spec tuple([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract tuple. If Elements is [X1, ..., Xn], the result represents "{*X1*, ..., *Xn*}".

Note: The Erlang language has distinct 1-tuples, i.e., {X} is always distinct from X itself.

See also: tuple_elements/1, tuple_size/1.

-spec tuple_elements(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of element subtrees of a tuple node.

See also: tuple/1.

-spec tuple_size(syntaxTree()) -> non_neg_integer().

Returns the number of elements of a tuple node.

Note: this is equivalent to length(tuple_elements(Node)), but potentially more efficient.

See also: tuple/1, tuple_elements/1.

-spec tuple_type() -> syntaxTree().

Equivalent to tuple_type(any_size).

-spec tuple_type(any_size | [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract type tuple. If Elements is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "{*T1*, ..., *Tn*}"; otherwise, if Elements is any_size, it represents "tuple/0".

See also: tuple_type_elements/1.

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tuple_type_elements(Node)

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-spec tuple_type_elements(syntaxTree()) -> any_size | [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of type element subtrees of a tuple_type node. If Node represents "tuple/0", any_size is returned; otherwise, if Node represents "{*T1*, ..., *Tn*}", [T1, ..., Tn] is returned.

See also: tuple_type/0, tuple_type/1.

-spec type(syntaxTree()) -> atom().

Returns the type tag of Node. If Node does not represent a syntax tree, evaluation fails with reason badarg. Node types currently defined by this module are:

applicationannotated_typearity_qualifieratom
attributebinarybinary_fieldbitstring_type
block_exprcase_exprcatch_exprchar
class_qualifierclausecommentconjunction
constrained_function_typeconstraintdisjunction
else_expreof_markererror_marker
floatform_listfun_exprfun_typefunctionfunction_typegenerator
if_exprimplicit_funinfix_exprinteger
integer_range_typelistlist_compmacro
map_exprmap_field_assocmap_field_exactmap_type
map_type_assocmap_type_exactmatch_expr
maybe_exprmaybe_match_exprmodule_qualifier
named_fun_exprniloperatorparentheses
prefix_exprreceive_exprrecord_accessrecord_expr
record_fieldrecord_index_exprrecord_typerecord_type_field
size_qualifierstringtexttry_expr
tupletuple_typetyped_record_fieldtype_application
type_unionunderscoreuser_type_applicationvariable
warning_marker

The user may (for special purposes) create additional nodes with other type tags, using the tree/2 function.

Note: The primary constructor functions for a node type should always have the same name as the node type itself.

See also: annotated_type/2, application/3, arity_qualifier/2, atom/1, attribute/2, binary/1, binary_field/2, bitstring_type/2, block_expr/1, case_expr/2, catch_expr/1, char/1, class_qualifier/2, clause/3, comment/2, conjunction/1, constrained_function_type/2, constraint/2, disjunction/1, else_expr/1, eof_marker/0, error_marker/1, float/1, form_list/1, fun_expr/1, fun_type/0, function/2, function_type/1, function_type/2, generator/2, if_expr/1, implicit_fun/2, infix_expr/3, integer/1, integer_range_type/2, list/2, list_comp/2, macro/2, map_expr/2, map_field_assoc/2, map_field_exact/2, map_type/0, map_type/1, map_type_assoc/2, map_type_exact/2, match_expr/2, maybe_expr/1, maybe_expr/2, maybe_match_expr/2, module_qualifier/2, named_fun_expr/2, nil/0, operator/1, parentheses/1, prefix_expr/2, receive_expr/3, record_access/3, record_expr/2, record_field/2, record_index_expr/2, record_type/2, record_type_field/2, size_qualifier/2, string/1, text/1, tree/2, try_expr/3, tuple/1, tuple_type/0, tuple_type/1, type_application/2, type_union/1, typed_record_field/2, underscore/0, user_type_application/2, variable/1, warning_marker/1.

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type_application(TypeName, Arguments)

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-spec type_application(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract type application expression. If Arguments is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*TypeName*(*T1*, ...*Tn*)".

See also: type_application/3, type_application_arguments/1, type_application_name/1, user_type_application/2.

-spec type_application(none | syntaxTree(), syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract type application expression. If Module is none, this is call is equivalent to type_application(TypeName, Arguments), otherwise it is equivalent to type_application(module_qualifier(Module, TypeName), Arguments).

(This is a utility function.)

See also: module_qualifier/2, type_application/2.

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type_application_arguments(Node)

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-spec type_application_arguments(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the arguments subtrees of a type_application node.

See also: type_application/2.

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type_application_name(Node)

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-spec type_application_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type name subtree of a type_application node.

See also: type_application/2.

-spec type_union([syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract type union. If Types is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*T1* | ... | *Tn*".

See also: type_union_types/1.

-spec type_union_types(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the list of type subtrees of a type_union node.

See also: type_union/1.

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typed_record_field(Field, Type)

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-spec typed_record_field(syntaxTree(), syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract typed record field specification. The result represents "*Field* :: *Type*".

See also: typed_record_field_body/1, typed_record_field_type/1.

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typed_record_field_body(Node)

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-spec typed_record_field_body(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the field subtree of a typed_record_field node.

See also: typed_record_field/2.

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typed_record_field_type(Node)

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-spec typed_record_field_type(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type subtree of a typed_record_field node.

See also: typed_record_field/2.

-spec underscore() -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract universal pattern ("_"). The lexical representation is a single underscore character. Note that this is not a variable, lexically speaking.

See also: variable/1.

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update_tree(Node, Groups)

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-spec update_tree(syntaxTree(), [[syntaxTree()]]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates a syntax tree with the same type and attributes as the given tree. This is equivalent to copy_attrs(Node, make_tree(type(Node), Groups)).

See also: copy_attrs/2, make_tree/2, type/1.

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user_type_application(TypeName, Arguments)

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-spec user_type_application(syntaxTree(), [syntaxTree()]) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract user type. If Arguments is [T1, ..., Tn], the result represents "*TypeName*(*T1*, ...*Tn*)".

See also: type_application/2, user_type_application_arguments/1, user_type_application_name/1.

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user_type_application_arguments(Node)

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-spec user_type_application_arguments(syntaxTree()) -> [syntaxTree()].

Returns the arguments subtrees of a user_type_application node.

See also: user_type_application/2.

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user_type_application_name(Node)

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-spec user_type_application_name(syntaxTree()) -> syntaxTree().

Returns the type name subtree of a user_type_application node.

See also: user_type_application/2.

-spec variable(atom() | string()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract variable with the given name. Name may be any atom or string that represents a lexically valid variable name, but not a single underscore character; see underscore/0.

Note: no checking is done whether the character sequence represents a proper variable name, i.e., whether or not its first character is an uppercase Erlang character, or whether it does not contain control characters, whitespace, etc.

See also: underscore/0, variable_literal/1, variable_name/1.

-spec variable_literal(syntaxTree()) -> string().

Returns the name of a variable node as a string.

See also: variable/1.

-spec variable_name(syntaxTree()) -> atom().

Returns the name of a variable node as an atom.

See also: variable/1.

-spec warning_marker(term()) -> syntaxTree().

Creates an abstract warning marker. The result represents an occurrence of a possible problem in the source code, with an associated Erlang I/O ErrorInfo structure given by Error (see module //stdlib/io for details). Warning markers are regarded as source code forms, but have no defined lexical form.

Note: this is supported only for backwards compatibility with existing parsers and tools.

See also: eof_marker/0, error_marker/1, is_form/1, warning_marker_info/1.

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warning_marker_info(Node)

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-spec warning_marker_info(syntaxTree()) -> term().

Returns the ErrorInfo structure of a warning_marker node.

See also: warning_marker/1.