Module (programming): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:04, 27 June 2006

Revision as of 10:13, 27 June 2006

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In [[computer science]], a '''module''' is a software entity that groups a set of (typically [[Cohesioncohesion (computer science)|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]], [[Pascal programming language|Pascal]], [[ML programming language|ML]], [[Modula-2]], [[Python programming language|Python]] and [[Ruby programming language|Ruby]].

== Modules and classes ==

The differences between [[Classclass (computer science)|classesclass]]es and modules are:

*Classes can be instantiated to create [[Objectobject (computer science)|objectsobject]]s,

*Classes can [[Inheritanceinheritance (object-oriented programming)|inherit]] behavior and data from another class,

*[[Polymorphism (computer science)|Polymorphism]] allows relationships between class instances to change at run-time, while relations between modules are static.

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*[http://modules.sourceforge.net/ Environment Modules]

[[Category:Computer programming]]