keep basic features from C: #include and static declaration

[massimosala]

Hi
I really like Koka, it has many features not available in other languages.

I believe these two features of the C language are essential:
#include
static var = value
and I suffer when they are not implemented in other languages.

I kindly suggest adding them to koka.

Forgive me if it is already possible to get their functionality, I have read the examples but I cannot find how to do.
Sincerely, Sala
massimo.sala.71@gmail.com

[timjs]

Hi Sala,

Koka has a module system and you can use import to include functions and values from other source files.

And with static variables you mean constants? Because all vals in Koka are already constant.

[massimosala]

Hi!

I mean the classic C static declaration inside a function.

This is the simplest example:

int counter(void)
{
  static int n = 0;
  n += 1;
  return n;
}

At each function call, the return value is incremented by 1.
static is used to keep variables in memory between function calls; the variable scope is local to the function.
It is very useful and sometimes "forgotten" in modern languages, sic!

[CaramelFur]

Hi, that is indeed a neat feature, I did not know you could do that in C.
But this will never make it into Koka though, as this feature causes undefined side effects.
There might be a way to do something similar using Koka's side effect handlers, but I'm not sure.