[racket] On Cooperating Macros
I've run across a few things mentioning cooperating macros, something I'm
working through.
Consider the following in a source file "nest.rkt"
https://gist.github.com/4090877
So in this example each expansion of the two defined macros in the `nest'
module sees mutually mutable state at meta level 1.
And of course in a separate source module, say "bird-watcher.rkt" with the
following.
#lang racket
(require "nest.rkt")
(define the-nest
(begin
(daddy-brings-worms)
(daddy-brings-worms)))
the-nest
;; end-of-module
One sees that the mutable state is not maintained across modules. i.e.,
Not cooperating. All, I'm guessing, a direct consequence of the "Immutable
Laws Of Flatt" (ILOF), "You Want It When", and "Modules, Visitations and
Instantiations, Oh My".
BUT, the ILOF has a backdoor[1], there exists a meta level wormhole which
allows state to tunnel through modules and expansions. If one were to use
`define-syntax' at compile time (during meta level 1) to bind a
non-procedure value, one can rat-hole state which is subsequently
accessible via `syntax-local-value' in an a different macro expansion at
meta level 1, in a different module. i.e., the macros now can cooperate.
Here I'm taking "cooperate" as synonymous with shared mutable state.
Based on what I think I understand, I can rejigger my bird net examples
to cooperate using the wormhole.
So assuming the above is more-or-less correct, can cooperating macros be
accomplished solely via the application of module require / provide at
proper meta levels. One one hand, I'm visualizing a `define-syntax'
binding a non-procedure value at compile time (meta 1) as in essence
pushing the value up into meta 2. And the `syntax-local-value' as reaching
out from meta 1 into meta 2 to fetch the state down. It's global because
meta layer 2 is a single global environment in which meta 1 syntax
transformers are evaluated.
On the other, other hand I visualize that during module visitations and
instantiations the _only_ thing which can _cross_ meta levels is syntax.
i.e. syntax at meta level N can be lifted into meta level N+1, transformed
and returned back to meta level N. But as only syntax crosses
meta boundaries, hence the define-syntax and syntax-local-value backdoor.
Or another way of phrasing the question, "Can one write cooperating macros
without resorting to the use of `define-syntax' and `syntax-local-value'".
If yes, how?
Thanks,
Ray
[1] Seems the only true immutable law in CS is, there's always a backdoor.
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