Module (programming): Difference between revisions

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In [[computer science]], a '''module''' is a software entity that groups a set of (typically [[Cohesion|cohesive]]) [[subprogram]]s and [[data structure]]s. Modules are units that can be [[compiler|compiled]] separately, which makes them reusable and allows multiple programmers to work on different modules simultaneously. Modules also promote [[modularity (programming)|modularity]] and encapsulation (i.e. [[information hiding]]), both of which can make complex programs easier to understand.

Modules provide a separation between [[interface]] and [[implementation]]. A module interface expresses the elements that are provided and required by the module. The elements defined in the interface are visible to other modules. The implementation contains the working code that corresponds to the elements declared in the interface. Languages that explicitly support the module concept include [[Ada programming language|Ada]], [[D programming language|D]], [[F programming language|F]], [[Fortran|Fortran]], [[PaskellPascal programming language|PaskellPascal]], [[ML programming language|ML]], [[Modula-2]], [[Python programming language|Python]] and [[Ruby programming language|Ruby]].

== Modules and classes ==