Chapter 5: Metaprogramming
Many languages have facilities for metaprogramming: writing code that generates or modifies code. Python has facilities for dynamic metaprogramming: features like decorators, metaclasses, and many more. These features make Python very flexible and productive, but since they're dynamic, they come with run-time overhead. Other languages have static or compile-time metaprogramming features, like C preprocessor macros and C++ templates. These can be limiting and hard to use.
Mojo's compile-time metaprogramming system uses the same language as run-time programs, so you don't have to learn a new language—just a few new features. The primary features you'll need to learn are:
- Compile-time statements and expressions
- Parameters
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Traits
Adapted from the Mojo Manual and the MAX GPU programming guides, part of the Modular Platform repository (github.com/modular/modular), Copyright (c) Modular Inc., licensed under the Apache License v2.0 with LLVM Exceptions. Changes were made: reformatted as an accessible XYZ web edition with build-verified example outputs. Mojo and MAX are trademarks of Modular Inc.; this edition is not affiliated with or endorsed by Modular. License: Apache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception.