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Chapter 8, Modules

A module is a software package that plugs into the Pike programming environment. They provide you with simple interfaces to system routines and they also constitute a neat way to use your own C/C++ code from within Pike. Pike comes with a number of modules that are ready to use. In this chapter I will explain the basics of modules and how to use them.

here is a list of the basic Pike modules:

Stdio
This module contains file I/O routines.
Array
This module contains functions that operate on arrays.
Calendar
Support for different calendar and date formats.
Crypto *
Cryptography routines.
Gdbm *
This module contains support for Gdbm databases.
Getopt
Routines to parse command line options
Gmp *
Support for large numbers.
Gz *
Deflate packing algorithms.
Image
Image manipulation routines.
LR
LALR(1) parser generator.
Msql *
Sql database support for the mini-SQL database server.
MIME
Support for coding and decoding MIME.
Mysql *
Sql database support for the mySQL database server.
Process
Functions to start and control other processes.
Protocols
Support for HTTP, NNTP, SMNT, DNS, TELNET and other protocols.
Regexp
Regexp matching routines.
Simulate
Routines to emulate old Pike routines.
String
Routines that operate on strings.
Sql *
Support for ASN1, PKCS and other standards.
Standards
Generic SQL database support.
System
Support for system specific functions.
Thread *
Thread support functions.
Tools
Complete programs available to use from within scripts.
Yp *
Network Information System support.

* These modules might not be available depending on how Pike was compiled and whether support for these functions exist on your system.

8.1 How to use modules

8.2 Where do modules come from?

8.3 The . operator

8.4 How to write a module

8.5 Simple exercises


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