[erlang-questions] Why we need a -module() attribute?

[Éric Pailleau]

Hi,
Mho,  module name in file should be unique and same than rootname file. This avoid any module clash, not globally but in same app.
BTW, namespace is probably something Erlang should handle in futur. This would avoid any module name clash. But anither story. 

Le 17 févr. 2016 6:38 PM, derek <denc716@REDACTED> a écrit :
>
> that -module(). line sound like redundant, if it can be mismatched,
> why can't it be omitted?
> compiler can derive the module name from the filename anyway; Java
> also made that filename has to match class name, that is a design
> mistake and unnecessary requirement, to my opinion;
>
> or on the other hand, if -module() is proved to be useful, why not
> just ignore the filename, and always use what's defined in -module()?
> in many modern language design like Go and Elixir, it's allowed to
> define multiple Class/Module in one file, this will be really
> flexible:
>
> %% file1.erl
> -module(module1).
>
> %% [content of module1]
>
> -module(module2).
>
> %% [content of module2]
>
> -module(module3).
>
> ...
>
> On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 6:26 AM, Joe Armstrong <erlang@REDACTED> wrote:
> > Well suppose you sent the *content* of the file in a message - how
> > would the receiver
> > know the name of the module?.
> >
> > Actually the module attribute and file name don't have to be the same - but
> > if they are not you'll break the autoloading mechanism. If the file name and
> > module name are different you should know exactly what you're doing :-)
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > /Joe
> >
> > On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 10:45 AM, Konstantin Vsochanov <kost@REDACTED> wrote:
> >> Hi!
> >>
> >> I’m working with Erlang for two years now and enjoy every day of using
> >> it. However, there are some strange  features I’m wondering about. One
> >> of them -module() attribute.
> >>
> >>  The module name is strictly defined by the name of the .erl file. You
> >> can’t change module name with -module() attribute. But the the -module()
> >> attribute is mandatory. Why? Why we need -module() attribute at all?
> >> Maybe we can make -module() optional in next Erlang release? So we don’t
> >> need to repeat file name in first string of every .erl file. Or maybe I
> >> miss something important?
> >>
> >> Feedback is appreciated!
> >>
> >> - Konstantin Voschanov
> >> _______________________________________________
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