Import System

To organize code across multiple files, Aegis provides a powerful import statement.

Syntax

var module = import "path/to/module.aeg"

The path is a string relative to the current working directory.

How Imports Work

When you import a file:

Execution: The VM loads, compiles, and executes the file immediately.
Scope Sharing: The imported file shares the global scope (native functions, etc.).
Return Value: The import expression returns the last value evaluated in the script (or null if nothing is returned).
Caching: Aegis caches the returned value. If you import the same file twice, it is not re-executed; the cached value is returned immediately.

Pattern 1: Global Inclusion (Legacy)

In this pattern, the imported file defines a Namespace or variables directly in the global scope.

File: lib/utils.aeg

namespace Utils {
    func hello() { return "Hello Global!" }
}

File: main.aeg

import "lib/utils.aeg" // Returns null, but 'Utils' is now defined globally
print Utils.hello()

Pattern 2: The Module Pattern (Recommended)

To avoid naming conflicts (e.g., two libraries defining a Common namespace), it is best practice to return the namespace at the end of the file and assign it to a variable.

File: lib/math_v1.aeg

namespace Math {
    func add(a, b) { return a + b }
}
// Export the namespace
return Math

File: lib/math_v2.aeg

namespace Math {
    func add(a, b) { return a + b + 0.5 }
}
return Math