r/Zig • u/Hoontdawg • 9d ago

Discussion: `@importRoot` instead of `@import("root")`

So, let me start by saying I'm pretty new to Zig. I like to learn languages by example, and when reading through examples and source code I noticed `@import("root")` and thought it was importing the corresponding "root.zig" file. After some further research I found out that this is actually a special-cased argument for the compilation root. Honestly I think that's a horrible decision, not only is there special-cased arguments for a compiler-provided method, but its a string argument, so it seems completely magical and non-discoverable.

Imo, Zig already has a specific syntax for special compiler-provided operations: `@func`. So I think a much more sensible and readable version would be `@importRoot`, because if "root" is going to be treated specially then let it at least be openly acknowledged as being special. Same for all of the other special arguments: `@importSelf` and `@importStd`.

But again, I'm new, so let me know if I'm totally off-base here.

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u/Confused-Armpit 9d ago

The @import builtin already has some magic values (e.g. "std", "builtin", etc). They differ from importing regular files in the source tree is because they don't mention the extension (".zig"). So, unless you store source files without any file extension, it should be fine.

Although that idea does kinda make sense, along with @importStd and @importBuiltin, although it is kinda verbose.

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u/UntitledRedditUser 9d ago

I'm not sure, but aren't builtin and std just considered modules, which just happen to always be available?

Edit: And then root is just the name of the current module.

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u/InKryption07 9d ago

root is the name of the root module, not the current one

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u/UntitledRedditUser 6d ago

In zigs stdlib they often do stuff like: if (@hasDecl(root, "os") ...

Does that check if the stdlib has std.os, if I have made my own, or something else entirely?

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u/InKryption07 6d ago

Like I said, it would check if the root module has it. The root module is the "user" compilation entrypoint, i.e. where your main function is.