Exporting Prolog source code

TL;DR

This paper introduces ExLibris, a simple tool for extracting and managing Prolog source code tailored for individual researchers and small teams, emphasizing reusability and compatibility across systems.

Contribution

The paper presents ExLibris, a lightweight source code configuration tool that facilitates code extraction, reuse, and cross-system compatibility for Prolog programs.

Findings

Supports file-based source development

Requires minimal program transformation

Encourages reusable code writing

Abstract

In this paper we present a simple source code configuration tool. ExLibris operates on libraries and can be used to extract from local libraries all code relevant to a particular project. Our approach is not designed to address problems arising in code production lines, but rather, to support the needs of individual or small teams of researchers who wish to communicate their Prolog programs. In the process, we also wish to accommodate and encourage the writing of reusable code. Moreover, we support and propose ways of dealing with issues arising in the development of code that can be run on a variety of like-minded Prolog systems. With consideration to these aims we have made the following decisions: (i) support file-based source development, (ii) require minimal program transformation, (iii) target simplicity of usage, and (iv) introduce minimum number of new primitives.