cerl(3)



cerl(3erl)                 Erlang Module Definition                 cerl(3erl)

NAME
       cerl - Core Erlang abstract syntax trees.

DESCRIPTION
       Core Erlang abstract syntax trees.

       This  module defines an abstract data type for representing Core Erlang
       source code as syntax trees.

       A recommended starting point for the first-time user is the  documenta-
       tion of the function type/1.

       NOTES:

       This  module  deals with the composition and decomposition of syntactic
       entities (as opposed to semantic ones); its purpose is to hide all  di-
       rect  references  to  the data structures used to represent these enti-
       ties. With few exceptions, the functions in this module perform no  se-
       mantic  interpretation of their inputs, and in general, the user is as-
       sumed to pass type-correct arguments - if this is not done, the effects
       are not defined.

       Currently,  the internal data structure used is the same as the record-
       based data structures used traditionally in the Beam compiler.

       The internal representations of abstract syntax trees  are  subject  to
       change  without  notice, and should not be documented outside this mod-
       ule. Furthermore, we do not give any guarantees on how an abstract syn-
       tax  tree may or may not be represented, with the following exceptions:
       no syntax tree is represented by a single atom, such as none, by a list
       constructor  [X  |  Y],  or by the empty list []. This can be relied on
       when writing functions that operate on syntax trees.

DATA TYPES
         c_binary() = #c_binary{}:

         c_bitstr() = #c_bitstr{}:

         c_call() = #c_call{}:

         c_clause() = #c_clause{}:

         c_cons() = #c_cons{}:

         c_fun() = #c_fun{}:

         c_let() = #c_let{}:

         c_literal() = #c_literal{}:

         c_map() = #c_map{}:

         c_map_pair() = #c_map_pair{}:

         c_module() = #c_module{}:

         c_tuple() = #c_tuple{}:

         c_values() = #c_values{}:

         c_var() = #c_var{}:

         cerl():

           An abstract Core Erlang syntax tree.

           Every abstract syntax tree  has  a  type,  given  by  the  function
           type/1.  In  addition,  each syntax tree has a list of user annota-
           tions (cf. get_ann/1), which are included in the Core  Erlang  syn-
           tax.

         map_op() = #c_literal{val=assoc} | #c_literal{val=exact}:

         var_name() = integer() | atom() | {atom(), integer()}:

EXPORTS
       abstract(Term::term()) -> cerl()

              Creates a syntax tree corresponding to an Erlang term. Term must
              be a literal term, i.e., one that can be represented as a source
              code  literal.  Thus,  it  may not contain a process identifier,
              port, reference, binary or function value as a subterm.

              Note: This is a constant time operation.

              See  also:  ann_abstract/2,  concrete/1,  is_literal/1,  is_lit-
              eral_term/1.

       add_ann(Annotations::[term()], Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Appends Annotations to the list of user annotations of Node.

              Note:   this  is  equivalent  to  set_ann(Node,  Annotations  ++
              get_ann(Node)), but potentially more efficient.

              See also: get_ann/1, set_ann/2.

       alias_pat(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the pattern subtree of an abstract pattern alias.

              See also: c_alias/2.

       alias_var(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the variable subtree of an abstract pattern alias.

              See also: c_alias/2.

       ann_abstract(Annotations::[term()], Term::term()) -> cerl()

              See also: abstract/1.

       ann_c_alias(As::[term()], Variable::cerl(), Pattern::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_alias/2.

       ann_c_apply(As::[term()],  Operator::cerl(),  Arguments::[cerl()])   ->
       cerl()

              See also: c_apply/2.

       ann_c_atom(As::[term()], Name) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Name = atom() | string()

              See also: c_atom/1.

       ann_c_binary(As::[term()], Segments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_binary/1.

       ann_c_bitstr(As::[term()],  Value::cerl(),  Size::cerl(), Type::cerl(),
       Flags::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to ann_c_bitstr(As, Value, Size,  abstract(1),  Type,
              Flags).

       ann_c_bitstr(As::[term()],  Value::cerl(),  Size::cerl(), Unit::cerl(),
       Type::cerl(), Flags::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: ann_c_bitstr/5, c_bitstr/5.

       ann_c_call(As::[term()],    Module::cerl(),     Name::cerl(),     Argu-
       ments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_call/3.

       ann_c_case(As::[term()], Argument::cerl(), Clauses::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_case/2.

       ann_c_catch(As::[term()], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_catch/1.

       ann_c_char(As::[term()], Value::char()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_char/1.

       ann_c_clause(As::[term()], Patterns::[cerl()], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to ann_c_clause(As, Patterns, c_atom(true), Body).

              See also: c_clause/3.

       ann_c_clause(As::[term()],      Patterns::[cerl()],      Guard::cerl(),
       Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: ann_c_clause/3, c_clause/3.

       ann_c_cons(As::[term()], Head::cerl(), Tail::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_cons/2.

       ann_c_cons_skel(As::[term()], Head::cerl(), Tail::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_cons_skel/2.

       ann_c_float(As::[term()], Value::float()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_float/1.

       ann_c_fname(As::[term()], Name::atom(), Arity::arity()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to ann_c_var(As, {Atom, Arity}).

              See also: c_fname/2.

       ann_c_fun(As::[term()], Variables::[cerl()], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_fun/2.

       ann_c_int(As::[term()], Value::integer()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_int/1.

       ann_c_let(As::[term()],     Variables::[cerl()],      Argument::cerl(),
       Body::cerl()) -> c_let()

              See also: c_let/3.

       ann_c_letrec(As::[term()],       Definitions::[{cerl(),       cerl()}],
       Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_letrec/2.

       ann_c_map(As::[term()], Es::[c_map_pair()]) -> c_map() | c_literal()

       ann_c_map(As::[term()],     C_literal::c_map()      |      c_literal(),
       Es::[c_map_pair()]) -> c_map() | c_literal()

       ann_c_map_pair(As::[term()],   Op::cerl(),   K::cerl(),  V::cerl())  ->
       c_map_pair()

       ann_c_map_pattern(As::[term()], Pairs::[c_map_pair()]) -> c_map()

       ann_c_module(As::[term()], Name::cerl(), Exports,  Es::Definitions)  ->
       cerl()

              Types:

                 Exports = [cerl()]
                 Definitions = [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              See also: ann_c_module/5, c_module/3.

       ann_c_module(As::[term()],  Name::cerl(),  Exports,  Attrs::Attributes,
       Es::Definitions) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Exports = [cerl()]
                 Attributes = [{cerl(), cerl()}]
                 Definitions = [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              See also: ann_c_module/4, c_module/4.

       ann_c_nil(As::[term()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_nil/0.

       ann_c_primop(As::[term()], Name::cerl(), Arguments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_primop/2.

       ann_c_receive(As::[term()], Clauses::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Equivalent  to  ann_c_receive(As,   Clauses,   c_atom(infinity),
              c_atom(true)).

              See also: c_atom/1, c_receive/3.

       ann_c_receive(As::[term()],   Clauses::[cerl()],  Timeout::cerl(),  Ac-
       tion::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: ann_c_receive/2, c_receive/3.

       ann_c_seq(As::[term()], Argument::cerl(), Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_seq/2.

       ann_c_string(As::[term()], Value::string()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_string/1.

       ann_c_try(As::[term()],    Expression::cerl(),     Variables::[cerl()],
       Body::cerl(), EVars::[cerl()], Handler::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_try/5.

       ann_c_tuple(As::[term()], Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_tuple/1.

       ann_c_tuple_skel(As::[term()], Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_tuple_skel/1.

       ann_c_values(As::[term()], Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_values/1.

       ann_c_var(As::[term()], Name::var_name()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_var/1.

       ann_make_data(As::[term()],   Type::dtype(),   Elements::[cerl()])   ->
       cerl()

              See also: make_data/2.

       ann_make_data_skel(As::[term()], Type::dtype(), Elements::[cerl()])  ->
       cerl()

              See also: make_data_skel/2.

       ann_make_list(As::[term()], List::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to ann_make_list(As, List, none).

       ann_make_list(As::[term()], List::[cerl()], Tail) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Tail = cerl() | none

              See also: ann_make_list/2, make_list/2.

       ann_make_tree(As::[term()],   Type::ctype(),   Groups::[[cerl()]])   ->
       cerl()

              Creates a syntax tree with the given annotations, type and  sub-
              trees. See make_tree/2 for details.

              See also: make_tree/2.

       apply_args(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns  the  list  of argument subtrees of an abstract function
              application.

              See also: apply_arity/1, c_apply/2.

       apply_arity(Node::cerl()) -> arity()

              Returns the number of argument subtrees of an abstract  function
              application.

              Note: this is equivalent to length(apply_args(Node)), but poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: apply_args/1, c_apply/2.

       apply_op(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the operator subtree of an  abstract  function  applica-
              tion.

              See also: c_apply/2.

       atom_lit(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns the literal string represented by an abstract atom. This
              always includes surrounding single-quote characters.

              Note that an abstract atom may have several literal  representa-
              tions,  and  that the representation yielded by this function is
              not fixed;  e.g.,  atom_lit(c_atom("a\012b"))  could  yield  the
              string "\'a\\nb\'".

              See also: c_atom/1.

       atom_name(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns the printname of an abstract atom.

              See also: c_atom/1.

       atom_val(Node::cerl()) -> atom()

              Returns the value represented by an abstract atom.

              See also: c_atom/1.

       binary_segments(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns  the list of segment subtrees of an abstract binary-tem-
              plate.

              See also: c_binary/1, c_bitstr/5.

       bitstr_bitsize(Node::cerl()) -> any | all | utf | integer()

              Returns the total size in bits of an  abstract  bit-string  tem-
              plate.  If  the  size field is an integer literal, the result is
              the product of the size and unit values; if the  size  field  is
              the  atom  literal all, the atom all is returned. If the size is
              not a literal, the atom any is returned.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       bitstr_flags(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the flags subtree of an abstract bit-string template.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       bitstr_size(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the size subtree of an abstract bit-string template.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       bitstr_type(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the type subtree of an abstract bit-string template.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       bitstr_unit(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the unit subtree of an abstract bit-string template.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       bitstr_val(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the value subtree of an abstract bit-string template.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       c_alias(Variable::cerl(), Pattern::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract pattern alias. The result represents  "Vari-
              able = Pattern".

              See  also:  alias_pat/1, alias_var/1, ann_c_alias/3, c_clause/3,
              is_c_alias/1, update_c_alias/3.

       c_apply(Operator::cerl(), Arguments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract function application. If Arguments  is  [A1,
              ..., An], the result represents "apply Operator(A1, ..., An)".

              See   also:   ann_c_apply/3,  apply_args/1,  apply_arity/1,  ap-
              ply_op/1, c_call/3, c_primop/2, is_c_apply/1, update_c_apply/3.

       c_atom(Name) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Name = atom() | string()

              Creates an abstract atom literal. The print name of the atom  is
              the character sequence represented by Name.

              Note:  passing  a  string  as argument to this function causes a
              corresponding atom to be created for  the  internal  representa-
              tion.

              See  also:  ann_c_atom/2,  atom_lit/1,  atom_name/1, atom_val/1,
              is_c_atom/1.

       c_binary(Segments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract binary-template. A binary object is in  this
              context  a  sequence of an arbitrary number of bits. (The number
              of bits used to be evenly divisible by 8, but after  the  intro-
              duction  of  bit  strings in the Erlang language, the choice was
              made to use the binary template for  all  bit  strings.)  It  is
              specified  by zero or more bit-string template segments of arbi-
              trary lengths (in number of bits). If Segments is [S1, ..., Sn],
              the  result  represents  "#{S1, ..., Sn}#". All the Si must have
              type bitstr.

              See   also:   ann_c_binary/2,   binary_segments/1,   c_bitstr/5,
              is_c_binary/1, update_c_binary/2.

       c_bitstr(Value::cerl(), Type::cerl(), Flags::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent  to c_bitstr(Value, abstract(all), abstract(1), Type,
              Flags).

       c_bitstr(Value::cerl(), Size::cerl(), Type::cerl(),  Flags::cerl())  ->
       cerl()

              Equivalent to c_bitstr(Value, Size, abstract(1), Type, Flags).

       c_bitstr(Value::cerl(),   Size::cerl(),   Unit::cerl(),   Type::cerl(),
       Flags::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract bit-string template. These can only occur as
              components  of an abstract binary-template (see c_binary/1). The
              result represents "#<Value>(Size,  Unit,  Type,  Flags)",  where
              Unit  must represent a positive integer constant, Type must rep-
              resent a constant atom (one of 'integer', 'float', or 'binary'),
              and  Flags  must represent a constant list "[F1, ..., Fn]" where
              all the Fi are atoms.

              See also: ann_c_bitstr/6,  bitstr_flags/1,  bitstr_size/1,  bit-
              str_type/1,  bitstr_unit/1,  bitstr_val/1, c_binary/1, is_c_bit-
              str/1, update_c_bitstr/6.

       c_call(Module::cerl(), Name::cerl(), Arguments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract inter-module call. If Arguments is [A1, ...,
              An], the result represents "call Module:Name(A1, ..., An)".

              See  also:  ann_c_call/4,  c_apply/2,  c_primop/2,  call_args/1,
              call_arity/1,  call_module/1,  call_name/1,   is_c_call/1,   up-
              date_c_call/4.

       c_case(Argument::cerl(), Clauses::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates  an  abstract  case-expression.  If Clauses is [C1, ...,
              Cn], the result represents "case Argument of  C1  ...  Cn  end".
              Clauses must not be empty.

              See  also:  ann_c_case/3,  c_clause/3, case_arg/1, case_arity/1,
              case_clauses/1, is_c_case/1, update_c_case/3.

       c_catch(Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an  abstract  catch-expression.  The  result  represents
              "catch Body".

              Note: catch-expressions can be rewritten as try-expressions, and
              will eventually be removed from Core Erlang.

              See also: ann_c_catch/2,  c_try/5,  catch_body/1,  is_c_catch/1,
              update_c_catch/2.

       c_char(Value) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Value = char() | integer()

              Creates  an abstract character literal. If the local implementa-
              tion of Erlang defines char() as a  subset  of  integer(),  this
              function is equivalent to c_int/1. Otherwise, if the given value
              is an integer, it will be converted to the  character  with  the
              corresponding code. The lexical representation of a character is
              "$Char", where Char is a single printing character or an  escape
              sequence.

              See   also:   ann_c_char/2,   c_int/1,  c_string/1,  char_lit/1,
              char_val/1, is_c_char/1, is_print_char/1.

       c_clause(Patterns::[cerl()], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to c_clause(Patterns, c_atom(true), Body).

              See also: c_atom/1.

       c_clause(Patterns::[cerl()], Guard::cerl(), Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an an abstract clause. If Patterns is [P1, ..., Pn], the
              result represents "<P1, ..., Pn> when Guard -> Body".

              See  also:  ann_c_clause/4,  c_case/2,  c_clause/2, c_receive/3,
              clause_arity/1,  clause_body/1,  clause_guard/1,  clause_pats/1,
              clause_vars/1, is_c_clause/1, update_c_clause/4.

       c_cons(Head::cerl(), Tail::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates  an  abstract  list  constructor.  The result represents
              "[Head | Tail]". Note that if both Head and Tail have type  lit-
              eral,  then  the result will also have type literal, and annota-
              tions on Head and Tail are lost.

              Recall that in Erlang, the tail element of a list constructor is
              not necessarily a list.

              See   also:  ann_c_cons/3,  c_cons_skel/2,  c_nil/0,  cons_hd/1,
              cons_tl/1,    is_c_cons/1,     is_c_list/1,     list_elements/1,
              list_length/1, make_list/2, update_c_cons/3.

       c_cons_skel(Head::cerl(), Tail::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates  an  abstract  list  constructor skeleton. Does not fold
              constant literals, i.e., the result always has type cons, repre-
              senting "[Head | Tail]".

              This  function  is  occasionally  useful when it is necessary to
              have annotations on the subnodes of  a  list  constructor  node,
              even  when the subnodes are constant literals. Note however that
              is_literal/1 will yield false and concrete/1 will fail if passed
              the result from this function.

              fold_literal/1  can  be used to revert a node to the normal-form
              representation.

              See  also:  ann_c_cons_skel/3,  c_cons/2,  c_nil/0,  concrete/1,
              fold_literal/1,   is_c_cons/1,  is_c_list/1,  is_literal/1,  up-
              date_c_cons_skel/3.

       c_float(Value::float()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract floating-point literal. The  lexical  repre-
              sentation is the decimal floating-point numeral of Value.

              See also: ann_c_float/2, float_lit/1, float_val/1, is_c_float/1.

       c_fname(Name::atom(), Arity::arity()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to c_var({Name, Arity}).

              See     also:    ann_c_fname/3,    fname_arity/1,    fname_id/1,
              is_c_fname/1, update_c_fname/3.

       c_fun(Variables::[cerl()], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract fun-expression. If Variables  is  [V1,  ...,
              Vn],  the result represents "fun (V1, ..., Vn) -> Body". All the
              Vi must have type var.

              See  also:  ann_c_fun/3,  fun_arity/1,  fun_body/1,  fun_vars/1,
              is_c_fun/1, update_c_fun/3.

       c_int(Value::integer()) -> cerl()

              Creates  an abstract integer literal. The lexical representation
              is the canonical decimal numeral of Value.

              See   also:   ann_c_int/2,   c_char/1,   int_lit/1,   int_val/1,
              is_c_int/1.

       c_let(Variables::[cerl()], Argument::cerl(), Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates  an  abstract  let-expression. If Variables is [V1, ...,
              Vn], the result represents "let <V1,  ...,  Vn>  =  Argument  in
              Body". All the Vi must have type var.

              See   also:  ann_c_let/4,  is_c_let/1,  let_arg/1,  let_arity/1,
              let_body/1, let_vars/1, update_c_let/4.

       c_letrec(Definitions::[{cerl(), cerl()}], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract letrec-expression. If Definitions  is  [{V1,
              F1},  ...,  {Vn, Fn}], the result represents "letrec V1 = F1 ...
              Vn = Fn in Body. All the Vi must have  type  var  and  represent
              function names. All the Fi must have type 'fun'.

              See  also:  ann_c_letrec/3,  is_c_letrec/1,  letrec_body/1,  le-
              trec_defs/1, letrec_vars/1, update_c_letrec/3.

       c_map(Pairs::[c_map_pair()]) -> c_map()

       c_map_pair(Key::cerl(), Val::cerl()) -> c_map_pair()

       c_map_pair_exact(Key::cerl(), Val::cerl()) -> c_map_pair()

       c_map_pattern(Pairs::[c_map_pair()]) -> c_map()

       c_module(Name::cerl(), Exports, Es::Definitions) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Exports = [cerl()]
                 Definitions = [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              Equivalent to c_module(Name, Exports, [], Definitions).

       c_module(Name::cerl(), Exports, Attrs::Attributes, Es::Definitions)  ->
       cerl()

              Types:

                 Exports = [cerl()]
                 Attributes = [{cerl(), cerl()}]
                 Definitions = [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              Creates an abstract module definition. The result represents

                  module Name [E1, ..., Ek]
                    attributes [K1 = T1, ...,
                                Km = Tm]
                    V1 = F1
                    ...
                    Vn = Fn
                  end

              if  Exports  =  [E1, ..., Ek], Attributes = [{K1, T1}, ..., {Km,
              Tm}], and Definitions = [{V1, F1}, ..., {Vn, Fn}].

              Name and all the Ki must be atom literals, and all the  Ti  must
              be  constant  literals. All the Vi and Ei must have type var and
              represent function names. All the Fi must have type 'fun'.

              See also:  ann_c_module/4,  ann_c_module/5,  c_atom/1,  c_fun/2,
              c_module/3,    c_var/1,   is_literal/1,   module_attrs/1,   mod-
              ule_defs/1, module_exports/1, module_name/1, module_vars/1,  up-
              date_c_module/5.

       c_nil() -> cerl()

              Creates  an abstract empty list. The result represents "[]". The
              empty list is traditionally called "nil".

              See also: ann_c_nil/1, c_cons/2, is_c_list/1.

       c_primop(Name::cerl(), Arguments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract primitive operation call.  If  Arguments  is
              [A1, ..., An], the result represents "primop Name(A1, ..., An)".
              Name must be an atom literal.

              See also: ann_c_primop/3,  c_apply/2,  c_call/3,  is_c_primop/1,
              primop_args/1, primop_arity/1, primop_name/1, update_c_primop/3.

       c_receive(Clauses::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Equivalent      to      c_receive(Clauses,     c_atom(infinity),
              c_atom(true)).

              See also: c_atom/1.

       c_receive(Clauses::[cerl()], Timeout::cerl(), Action::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract receive-expression. If Clauses is [C1,  ...,
              Cn],  the  result represents "receive C1 ... Cn after Timeout ->
              Action end".

              See  also:  ann_c_receive/4,  c_receive/1,  is_c_receive/1,  re-
              ceive_action/1,    receive_clauses/1,   receive_timeout/1,   up-
              date_c_receive/4.

       c_seq(Argument::cerl(), Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract sequencing expression. The result represents
              "do Argument Body".

              See  also:  ann_c_seq/3,  is_c_seq/1, seq_arg/1, seq_body/1, up-
              date_c_seq/3.

       c_string(Value::string()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract string literal. Equivalent  to  creating  an
              abstract  list  of  the  corresponding  character  literals (cf.
              is_c_string/1), but is typically  more  efficient.  The  lexical
              representation  of  a  string is ""Chars"", where Chars is a se-
              quence of printing characters or spaces.

              See    also:    ann_c_string/2,     c_char/1,     is_c_string/1,
              is_print_string/1, string_lit/1, string_val/1.

       c_try(Argument::cerl(),  Variables::[cerl()],  Body::cerl(), Exception-
       Vars::[cerl()], Handler::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract try-expression. If Variables  is  [V1,  ...,
              Vn]  and  ExceptionVars  is [X1, ..., Xm], the result represents
              "try Argument of <V1, ..., Vn> -> Body catch <X1,  ...,  Xm>  ->
              Handler". All the Vi and Xi must have type var.

              See   also:   ann_c_try/6,   c_catch/1,  is_c_try/1,  try_arg/1,
              try_body/1, try_vars/1, update_c_try/6.

       c_tuple(Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract tuple. If Elements is [E1, ..., En], the re-
              sult  represents "{E1, ..., En}". Note that if all nodes in Ele-
              ments have type literal, or if Elements is empty, then  the  re-
              sult will also have type literal and annotations on nodes in El-
              ements are lost.

              Recall that Erlang has distinct 1-tuples, i.e.,  {X}  is  always
              distinct from X itself.

              See also: ann_c_tuple/2, c_tuple_skel/1, is_c_tuple/1, tuple_ar-
              ity/1, tuple_es/1, update_c_tuple/2.

       c_tuple_skel(Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates an abstract tuple skeleton. Does not fold constant  lit-
              erals,  i.e.,  the  result  always  has type tuple, representing
              "{E1, ..., En}", if Elements is [E1, ..., En].

              This function is occasionally useful when  it  is  necessary  to
              have  annotations on the subnodes of a tuple node, even when all
              the subnodes are constant literals. Note  however  that  is_lit-
              eral/1  will  yield false and concrete/1 will fail if passed the
              result from this function.

              fold_literal/1 can be used to revert a node to  the  normal-form
              representation.

              See  also:  ann_c_tuple_skel/2, c_tuple/1, concrete/1, fold_lit-
              eral/1,  is_c_tuple/1,  is_literal/1,  tuple_es/1,  update_c_tu-
              ple_skel/2.

       c_values(Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates  an  abstract  value list. If Elements is [E1, ..., En],
              the result represents "<E1, ..., En>".

              See also: ann_c_values/2, is_c_values/1, update_c_values/2, val-
              ues_arity/1, values_es/1.

       c_var(Name::var_name()) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 var_name() = integer() | atom() | {atom(), integer()}

              Creates  an  abstract  variable. A variable is identified by its
              name, given by the Name parameter.

              If a name is given by a single atom, it should either be a "sim-
              ple"  atom which does not need to be single-quoted in Erlang, or
              otherwise its print name should correspond to  a  proper  Erlang
              variable,  i.e.,  begin with an uppercase character or an under-
              score. Names on the form {A, N} represent  function  name  vari-
              ables "A/N"; these are special variables which may be bound only
              in the function definitions of a module or a  letrec.  They  may
              not  be bound in let expressions and cannot occur in clause pat-
              terns. The atom A in a function name may be any atom; the  inte-
              ger  N  must  be  nonnegative.  The functions c_fname/2 etc. are
              utilities for handling function name variables.

              When printing variable names, they must have the form of  proper
              Core  Erlang  variables  and function names. E.g., a name repre-
              sented by an integer such as 42 could be formatted as "_42",  an
              atom  'Xxx' simply as "Xxx", and an atom foo as "_foo". However,
              one must assure that any two  valid  distinct  names  are  never
              mapped to the same strings. Tuples such as {foo, 2} representing
              function names can simply by formatted  as  "'foo'/2",  with  no
              risk of conflicts.

              See   also:   ann_c_var/2,  c_fname/2,  c_letrec/2,  c_module/4,
              is_c_var/1, update_c_var/2, var_name/1.

       call_args(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of argument subtrees of an abstract  inter-mod-
              ule call.

              See also: c_call/3, call_arity/1.

       call_arity(Node::cerl()) -> arity()

              Returns  the  number  of argument subtrees of an abstract inter-
              module call.

              Note: this is equivalent to length(call_args(Node)), but  poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: c_call/3, call_args/1.

       call_module(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the module subtree of an abstract inter-module call.

              See also: c_call/3.

       call_name(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the name subtree of an abstract inter-module call.

              See also: c_call/3.

       case_arg(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the argument subtree of an abstract case-expression.

              See also: c_case/2.

       case_arity(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Equivalent  to  clause_arity(hd(case_clauses(Node))), but poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: c_case/2, case_clauses/1, clause_arity/1.

       case_clauses(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of clause subtrees of an abstract  case-expres-
              sion.

              See also: c_case/2, case_arity/1.

       catch_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the body subtree of an abstract catch-expression.

              See also: c_catch/1.

       char_lit(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns the literal string represented by an abstract character.
              This includes a leading $ character. Currently,  all  characters
              that are not in the set of ISO 8859-1 (Latin-1) "printing" char-
              acters will be escaped.

              See also: c_char/1.

       char_val(Node::cerl()) -> char()

              Returns the value represented by an abstract character literal.

              See also: c_char/1.

       clause_arity(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns the number of pattern subtrees of an abstract clause.

              Note: this is equivalent to length(clause_pats(Node)),  but  po-
              tentially more efficient.

              See also: c_clause/3, clause_pats/1.

       clause_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the body subtree of an abstract clause.

              See also: c_clause/3.

       clause_guard(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the guard subtree of an abstract clause.

              See also: c_clause/3.

       clause_pats(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of pattern subtrees of an abstract clause.

              See also: c_clause/3, clause_arity/1.

       clause_vars(Clause::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of all abstract variables in the patterns of an
              abstract clause. The order of listing is not defined.

              See also: c_clause/3, pat_list_vars/1.

       concrete(Node::cerl()) -> term()

              Returns the Erlang term represented by a syntax tree. An  excep-
              tion is thrown if Node does not represent a literal term.

              Note: This is a constant time operation.

              See also: abstract/1, is_literal/1.

       cons_hd(C_cons::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the head subtree of an abstract list constructor.

              See also: c_cons/2.

       cons_tl(C_cons::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the tail subtree of an abstract list constructor.

              Recall  that  the  tail  does not necessarily represent a proper
              list.

              See also: c_cons/2.

       copy_ann(Source::cerl(), Target::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Copies the list of user annotations from Source to Target.

              Note: this is equivalent  to  set_ann(Target,  get_ann(Source)),
              but potentially more efficient.

              See also: get_ann/1, set_ann/2.

       data_arity(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns  the number of subtrees of a data constructor node. This
              is equivalent to length(data_es(Node)), but potentially more ef-
              ficient.

              See also: data_es/1, is_data/1.

       data_es(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns  the list of subtrees of a data constructor node. If the
              arity of the constructor is zero, the result is the empty list.

              Note: if data_type(Node) is cons, the number of subtrees is  ex-
              actly  two. If data_type(Node) is {atomic, Value}, the number of
              subtrees is zero.

              See also: data_arity/1, data_type/1, is_data/1, make_data/2.

       data_type(Node::cerl()) -> dtype()

              Types:

                 dtype() = cons | tuple | {atomic, Value}
                 Value = integer() | float() | atom() | []

              Returns a type descriptor for  a  data  constructor  node.  (Cf.
              is_data/1.)  This  is  mainly useful for comparing types and for
              constructing new nodes of the same type  (cf.  make_data/2).  If
              Node represents an integer, floating-point number, atom or empty
              list, the result is {atomic, Value}, where Value is the value of
              concrete(Node), otherwise the result is either cons or tuple.

              Type  descriptors  can be compared for equality or order (in the
              Erlang term order),  but  remember  that  floating-point  values
              should in general never be tested for equality.

              See also: concrete/1, is_data/1, make_data/2, type/1.

       float_lit(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns  the numeral string represented by a floating-point lit-
              eral node.

              See also: c_float/1.

       float_val(Node::cerl()) -> float()

              Returns the value represented by a floating-point literal node.

              See also: c_float/1.

       fname_arity(C_var::cerl()) -> arity()

              Returns the arity part of an abstract function name variable.

              See also: c_fname/2, fname_id/1.

       fname_id(C_var::cerl()) -> atom()

              Returns the identifier part of an abstract function  name  vari-
              able.

              See also: c_fname/2, fname_arity/1.

       fold_literal(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Assures that literals have a compact representation. This is oc-
              casionally  useful  if  c_cons_skel/2,  c_tuple_skel/1  or   un-
              fold_literal/1  were  used  in the construction of Node, and you
              want to revert to the normal "folded" representation  of  liter-
              als.  If  Node  represents a tuple or list constructor, its ele-
              ments are rewritten recursively, and the node  is  reconstructed
              using  c_cons/2  or  c_tuple/1, respectively; otherwise, Node is
              not changed.

              See also: c_cons/2,  c_cons_skel/2,  c_tuple/1,  c_tuple_skel/1,
              is_literal/1, unfold_literal/1.

       from_records(Tree::record(record_types())) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 record_types()  =  c_alias  |  c_apply  |  c_call  | c_case |
                 c_catch | c_clause | c_cons | c_fun  |  c_let  |  c_letrec  |
                 c_lit  |  c_module  |  c_primop | c_receive | c_seq | c_try |
                 c_tuple | c_values | c_var

              Translates an explicit record representation to a  corresponding
              abstract  syntax  tree.  The  records  are  defined  in the file
              "core_parse.hrl".

              See also: to_records/1, type/1.

       fun_arity(Node::cerl()) -> arity()

              Returns the number of parameter subtrees of an abstract  fun-ex-
              pression.

              Note:  this  is equivalent to length(fun_vars(Node)), but poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: c_fun/2, fun_vars/1.

       fun_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the body subtree of an abstract fun-expression.

              See also: c_fun/2.

       fun_vars(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of parameter subtrees of  an  abstract  fun-ex-
              pression.

              See also: c_fun/2, fun_arity/1.

       get_ann(Node::cerl()) -> [term()]

              Returns  the  list  of user annotations associated with a syntax
              tree node. For a newly created node, this is the empty list. The
              annotations may be any terms.

              See also: set_ann/2.

       int_lit(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns  the  numeral  string  represented by an integer literal
              node.

              See also: c_int/1.

       int_val(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns the value represented by an integer literal node.

              See also: c_int/1.

       is_c_alias(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an  abstract  pattern  alias,  otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_alias/2.

       is_c_apply(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract function application, other-
              wise false.

              See also: c_apply/2.

       is_c_atom(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if  Node  represents  an  atom  literal,  otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_atom/1.

       is_c_binary(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if Node is an abstract binary-template; otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_binary/1.

       is_c_bitstr(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract bit-string template;  other-
              wise false.

              See also: c_bitstr/5.

       is_c_call(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if  Node is an abstract inter-module call expres-
              sion; otherwise false.

              See also: c_call/3.

       is_c_case(C_case::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract  case-expression;  otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_case/2.

       is_c_catch(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true if Node is an abstract catch-expression, otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_catch/1.

       is_c_char(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node may represent a character  literal,  other-
              wise false.

              If the local implementation of Erlang defines char() as a subset
              of integer(), then is_c_int(Node) will also yield true.

              See also: c_char/1, is_print_char/1.

       is_c_clause(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract clause, otherwise false.

              See also: c_clause/3.

       is_c_cons(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract list constructor,  otherwise
              false.

       is_c_float(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node represents a floating-point literal, other-
              wise false.

              See also: c_float/1.

       is_c_fname(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract function name variable, oth-
              erwise false.

              See also: c_fname/2, c_var/1, var_name/1.

       is_c_fun(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if  Node is an abstract fun-expression, otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_fun/2.

       is_c_int(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node represents an  integer  literal,  otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_int/1.

       is_c_let(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if  Node is an abstract let-expression, otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_let/3.

       is_c_letrec(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract letrec-expression, otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_letrec/2.

       is_c_list(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true if Node represents a proper list, otherwise false.
              A proper list is either the empty list [], or a cons cell  [Head
              | Tail], where recursively Tail is a proper list.

              Note:  Because Node is a syntax tree, the actual run-time values
              corresponding to its subtrees may often  be  partially  or  com-
              pletely  unknown.  Thus,  if  Node  represents e.g. "[... | Ns]"
              (where Ns is a variable), then the function will  return  false,
              because  it  is  not known whether Ns will be bound to a list at
              run-time. If Node instead represents e.g. "[1, 2, 3]" or  "[A  |
              []]", then the function will return true.

              See also: c_cons/2, c_nil/0, list_elements/1, list_length/1.

       is_c_map(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if Node is an abstract map constructor, otherwise
              false.

       is_c_map_empty(C_map::c_map() | c_literal()) -> boolean()

       is_c_map_pattern(C_map::c_map()) -> boolean()

       is_c_module(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract module definition, otherwise
              false.

              See also: type/1.

       is_c_nil(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract empty list, otherwise false.

       is_c_primop(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if  Node is an abstract primitive operation call,
              otherwise false.

              See also: c_primop/2.

       is_c_receive(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract  receive-expression,  other-
              wise false.

              See also: c_receive/3.

       is_c_seq(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true if Node is an abstract sequencing expression, oth-
              erwise false.

              See also: c_seq/2.

       is_c_string(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node may represent a string  literal,  otherwise
              false.   Strings   are  defined  as  lists  of  characters;  see
              is_c_char/1 for details.

              See also: c_string/1, is_c_char/1, is_print_string/1.

       is_c_try(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an  abstract  try-expression,  otherwise
              false.

              See also: c_try/5.

       is_c_tuple(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract tuple, otherwise false.

              See also: c_tuple/1.

       is_c_values(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract value list; otherwise false.

              See also: c_values/1.

       is_c_var(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node is an abstract variable, otherwise false.

              See also: c_var/1.

       is_data(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if  Node represents a data constructor, otherwise
              false. Data constructors are cons cells, tuples, and atomic lit-
              erals.

              See also: data_arity/1, data_es/1, data_type/1.

       is_leaf(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns  true  if Node is a leaf node, otherwise false. The cur-
              rent leaf node types are literal and var.

              Note: all literals (cf. is_literal/1) are leaf  nodes,  even  if
              they  represent structured (constant) values such as {foo, [bar,
              baz]}. Also note that variables are leaf nodes but not literals.

              See also: is_literal/1, type/1.

       is_literal(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node represents a literal term, otherwise false.
              This  function  returns  true  if  and only if the value of con-
              crete(Node) is defined.

              Note: This is a constant time operation.

              See also: abstract/1, concrete/1, fold_literal/1.

       is_literal_term(Term::term()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Term can be represented as a literal,  otherwise
              false.  This  function  takes  time  proportional to the size of
              Term.

              See also: abstract/1.

       is_print_char(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node may represent a "printing" character,  oth-
              erwise  false. (Cf. is_c_char/1.) A "printing" character has ei-
              ther a given graphical representation, or a "named"  escape  se-
              quence  such as "\n". Currently, only ISO 8859-1 (Latin-1) char-
              acter values are recognized.

              See also: c_char/1, is_c_char/1.

       is_print_string(Node::cerl()) -> boolean()

              Returns true if Node may represent a string  literal  containing
              only  "printing"  characters, otherwise false. See is_c_string/1
              and is_print_char/1 for  details.  Currently,  only  ISO  8859-1
              (Latin-1) character values are recognized.

              See also: c_string/1, is_c_string/1, is_print_char/1.

       let_arg(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the argument subtree of an abstract let-expression.

              See also: c_let/3.

       let_arity(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns  the  number  of left-hand side variables of an abstract
              let-expression.

              Note: this is equivalent to length(let_vars(Node)),  but  poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: c_let/3, let_vars/1.

       let_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the body subtree of an abstract let-expression.

              See also: c_let/3.

       let_vars(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of left-hand side variables of an abstract let-
              expression.

              See also: c_let/3, let_arity/1.

       letrec_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the body subtree of an abstract letrec-expression.

              See also: c_letrec/2.

       letrec_defs(Node::cerl()) -> [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              Returns the list of definitions of  an  abstract  letrec-expres-
              sion.  If  Node represents "letrec V1 = F1 ... Vn = Fn in Body",
              the returned value is [{V1, F1}, ..., {Vn, Fn}].

              See also: c_letrec/2.

       letrec_vars(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of left-hand side function variable subtrees of
              a letrec-expression. If Node represents "letrec V1 = F1 ... Vn =
              Fn in Body", the returned value is [V1, ..., Vn].

              See also: c_letrec/2.

       list_elements(C_cons::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of element subtrees of an abstract  list.  Node
              must  represent a proper list. E.g., if Node represents "[X1, X2
              | [X3, X4 | []]", then list_elements(Node) yields the list  [X1,
              X2, X3, X4].

              See   also:   c_cons/2,   c_nil/0,  is_c_list/1,  list_length/1,
              make_list/2.

       list_length(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns the number of element subtrees of an abstract list. Node
              must  represent  a  proper list. E.g., if Node represents "[X1 |
              [X2, X3 | [X4, X5, X6]]]", then  list_length(Node)  returns  the
              integer 6.

              Note: this is equivalent to length(list_elements(Node)), but po-
              tentially more efficient.

              See also: c_cons/2, c_nil/0, is_c_list/1, list_elements/1.

       make_data(Type::dtype(), Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Creates a data constructor node with the specified type and sub-
              trees.  (Cf.  data_type/1.) An exception is thrown if the length
              of Elements is invalid for the given Type; see data_es/1 for ar-
              ity constraints on constructor types.

              See     also:     ann_make_data/3,    data_es/1,    data_type/1,
              make_data_skel/2, update_data/3.

       make_data_skel(Type::dtype(), Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Like  make_data/2,   but   analogous   to   c_tuple_skel/1   and
              c_cons_skel/2.

              See  also:  ann_make_data_skel/3, c_cons_skel/2, c_tuple_skel/1,
              make_data/2, update_data_skel/3.

       make_list(List) -> Node

              Equivalent to make_list(List, none).

       make_list(List::[cerl()], Tail) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Tail = cerl() | none

              Creates an abstract list from the elements in List and  the  op-
              tional  Tail.  If Tail is none, the result will represent a nil-
              terminated list, otherwise it represents "[... | Tail]".

              See also: ann_make_list/3, c_cons/2,  c_nil/0,  list_elements/1,
              update_list/3.

       make_tree(Type::ctype(), Groups::[[cerl()]]) -> cerl()

              Creates  a  syntax  tree  with the given type and subtrees. Type
              must be a node type name (cf. type/1) that  does  not  denote  a
              leaf  node  type (cf. is_leaf/1). Groups must be a nonempty list
              of groups of syntax trees, representing the subtrees of  a  node
              of the given type, in left-to-right order as they would occur in
              the printed program text, grouped by category as  done  by  sub-
              trees/1.

              The  result  of  ann_make_tree(get_ann(Node),  type(Node),  sub-
              trees(Node)) (cf. update_tree/2) represents the same source code
              text as the original Node, assuming that subtrees(Node) yields a
              nonempty list. However, it does not necessarily have  the  exact
              same data representation as Node.

              See  also:  ann_make_tree/3,  is_leaf/1, subtrees/1, type/1, up-
              date_tree/2.

       map_arg(C_literal::c_map() | c_literal()) -> c_map() | c_literal()

       map_es(C_literal::c_map() | c_literal()) -> [c_map_pair()]

       map_pair_key(C_map_pair::c_map_pair()) -> cerl()

       map_pair_op(C_map_pair::c_map_pair()) -> map_op()

       map_pair_val(C_map_pair::c_map_pair()) -> cerl()

       meta(Tree::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Creates a meta-representation of a syntax tree. The result  rep-
              resents  an  Erlang  expression  "MetaTree" which, if evaluated,
              will yield a new syntax tree representing the same  source  code
              text  as  Tree  (although  the actual data representation may be
              different). The expression represented by MetaTree is  implemen-
              tation  independent  with  regard to the data structures used by
              the abstract syntax tree implementation.

              Any node in Tree whose node type is var (cf. type/1), and  whose
              list  of annotations (cf. get_ann/1) contains the atom meta_var,
              will remain unchanged in the resulting tree, except that exactly
              one occurrence of meta_var is removed from its annotation list.

              The  main  use  of  the  function  meta/1 is to transform a data
              structure Tree, which represents a piece of program code, into a
              form that is representation independent when printed. E.g., sup-
              pose Tree represents a variable  named  "V".  Then  (assuming  a
              function   print/1   for   printing  syntax  trees),  evaluating
              print(abstract(Tree)) - simply using abstract/1 to map  the  ac-
              tual  data  structure  onto a syntax tree representation - would
              output a string that  might  look  something  like  "{var,  ...,
              'V'}", which is obviously dependent on the implementation of the
              abstract syntax trees. This could e.g. be useful for  caching  a
              syntax  tree  in  a  file. However, in some situations like in a
              program generator generator (with two "generator"),  it  may  be
              unacceptable.  Using  print(meta(Tree))  instead  would output a
              representation independent syntax tree generating expression; in
              the above case, something like "cerl:c_var('V')".

              The  implementation  tries to generate compact code with respect
              to literals and lists.

              See also: abstract/1, get_ann/1, type/1.

       module_attrs(Node::cerl()) -> [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              Returns the list of pairs of attribute key/value subtrees of  an
              abstract module definition.

              See also: c_module/4.

       module_defs(Node::cerl()) -> [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              Returns  the  list of function definitions of an abstract module
              definition.

              See also: c_module/4.

       module_exports(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of exports subtrees of an abstract module defi-
              nition.

              See also: c_module/4.

       module_name(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the name subtree of an abstract module definition.

              See also: c_module/4.

       module_vars(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of left-hand side function variable subtrees of
              an abstract module definition.

              See also: c_module/4.

       pat_list_vars(Patterns::[cerl()]) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of all abstract variables  in  the  given  pat-
              terns.  An  exception is thrown if some element in Patterns does
              not represent a well-formed Core Erlang clause pattern. The  or-
              der of listing is not defined.

              See also: clause_vars/1, pat_vars/1.

       pat_vars(Pattern::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns  the list of all abstract variables in a pattern. An ex-
              ception is thrown if Node does not represent a well-formed  Core
              Erlang clause pattern. The order of listing is not defined.

              See also: clause_vars/1, pat_list_vars/1.

       primop_args(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns  the  list of argument subtrees of an abstract primitive
              operation call.

              See also: c_primop/2, primop_arity/1.

       primop_arity(Node::cerl()) -> arity()

              Returns the number of argument subtrees of an abstract primitive
              operation call.

              Note:  this  is equivalent to length(primop_args(Node)), but po-
              tentially more efficient.

              See also: c_primop/2, primop_args/1.

       primop_name(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the name subtree  of  an  abstract  primitive  operation
              call.

              See also: c_primop/2.

       receive_action(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the action subtree of an abstract receive-expression.

              See also: c_receive/3.

       receive_clauses(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns  the  list of clause subtrees of an abstract receive-ex-
              pression.

              See also: c_receive/3.

       receive_timeout(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the timeout subtree of an abstract receive-expression.

              See also: c_receive/3.

       seq_arg(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the argument subtree of an abstract  sequencing  expres-
              sion.

              See also: c_seq/2.

       seq_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the body subtree of an abstract sequencing expression.

              See also: c_seq/2.

       set_ann(Node::cerl(), Annotations::[term()]) -> cerl()

              Sets the list of user annotations of Node to Annotations.

              See also: add_ann/2, copy_ann/2, get_ann/1.

       string_lit(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns  the  literal  string represented by an abstract string.
              This includes surrounding double-quote  characters  "...".  Cur-
              rently,  characters  that  are  not  in  the  set  of ISO 8859-1
              (Latin-1) "printing" characters will be escaped, except for spa-
              ces.

              See also: c_string/1.

       string_val(Node::cerl()) -> string()

              Returns the value represented by an abstract string literal.

              See also: c_string/1.

       subtrees(Node::cerl()) -> [[cerl()]]

              Returns the grouped list of all subtrees of a node. If Node is a
              leaf node (cf. is_leaf/1), this is the empty list, otherwise the
              result  is  always a nonempty list, containing the lists of sub-
              trees of Node, in left-to-right  order  as  they  occur  in  the
              printed program text, and grouped by category. Often, each group
              contains only a single subtree.

              Depending on the type of Node, the size of some  groups  may  be
              variable  (e.g.,  the  group consisting of all the elements of a
              tuple), while others always contain the same number of  elements
              -  usually  exactly one (e.g., the group containing the argument
              expression of a case-expression). Note, however, that the  exact
              structure of the returned list (for a given node type) should in
              general not be depended upon,  since  it  might  be  subject  to
              change without notice.

              The   function   subtrees/1   and   the   constructor  functions
              make_tree/2 and update_tree/2 can be a great help if  one  wants
              to  traverse a syntax tree, visiting all its subtrees, but treat
              nodes of the tree in a uniform way in most or all  cases.  Using
              these  functions  makes  this simple, and also assures that your
              code is not overly sensitive to extensions of  the  syntax  tree
              data type, because any node types not explicitly handled by your
              code can be left to a default case.

              For example:

                  postorder(F, Tree) ->
                      F(case subtrees(Tree) of
                          [] -> Tree;
                          List -> update_tree(Tree,
                                              [[postorder(F, Subtree)
                                                || Subtree <- Group]
                                               || Group <- List])
                        end).

              maps the function F on Tree and all its subtrees, doing a  post-
              order  traversal  of  the  syntax  tree.  (Note  the  use of up-
              date_tree/2 to preserve  annotations.)  For  a  simple  function
              like:

                  f(Node) ->
                      case type(Node) of
                          atom -> atom("a_" ++ atom_name(Node));
                          _ -> Node
                      end.

              the  call  postorder(fun f/1, Tree) will yield a new representa-
              tion of Tree in which all atom names have been extended with the
              prefix  "a_",  but nothing else (including annotations) has been
              changed.

              See also: is_leaf/1, make_tree/2, update_tree/2.

       to_records(Tree::cerl()) -> record(record_types())

              Translates an abstract syntax tree to a  corresponding  explicit
              record  representation.  The  records  are  defined  in the file
              "cerl.hrl".

              See also: from_records/1, type/1.

       try_arg(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the expression subtree of an abstract try-expression.

              See also: c_try/5.

       try_body(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns the success body subtree of an abstract try-expression.

              See also: c_try/5.

       try_evars(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of exception variable subtrees of  an  abstract
              try-expression.

              See also: c_try/5.

       try_handler(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Returns  the  exception  body subtree of an abstract try-expres-
              sion.

              See also: c_try/5.

       try_vars(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of success variable  subtrees  of  an  abstract
              try-expression.

              See also: c_try/5.

       tuple_arity(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns the number of element subtrees of an abstract tuple.

              Note:  this  is equivalent to length(tuple_es(Node)), but poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: c_tuple/1, tuple_es/1.

       tuple_es(C_tuple::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of element subtrees of an abstract tuple.

              See also: c_tuple/1.

       type(Node::cerl()) -> atom()

              Returns the type tag of Node. Current node types are:

              alias apply binary bitstr call case catch clause
              cons fun let letrec literal map map_pair module
              primop receive seq try tuple values var

              Note: The name of the primary constructor function  for  a  node
              type  is  always  the name of the type itself, prefixed by "c_";
              recognizer predicates are correspondingly prefixed  by  "is_c_".
              Furthermore,   to  simplify  preservation  of  annotations  (cf.
              get_ann/1), there are analogous constructor  functions  prefixed
              by  "ann_c_" and "update_c_", for setting the annotation list of
              the new node to either a specific value or to the annotations of
              an existing node, respectively.

              See  also:  abstract/1, c_alias/2, c_apply/2, c_binary/1, c_bit-
              str/5,  c_call/3,  c_case/2,  c_catch/1,  c_clause/3,  c_cons/2,
              c_fun/2,  c_let/3,  c_letrec/2,  c_module/3,  c_primop/2,  c_re-
              ceive/1,  c_seq/2,  c_try/5,  c_tuple/1,  c_values/1,   c_var/1,
              data_type/1,   from_records/1,  get_ann/1,  meta/1,  subtrees/1,
              to_records/1.

       unfold_literal(Node::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Assures that literals have a fully expanded  representation.  If
              Node  represents  a  literal tuple or list constructor, its ele-
              ments are rewritten recursively, and the node  is  reconstructed
              using  c_cons_skel/2 or c_tuple_skel/1, respectively; otherwise,
              Node is not changed. The fold_literal/1 can be used to revert to
              the normal compact representation.

              See  also:  c_cons/2,  c_cons_skel/2, c_tuple/1, c_tuple_skel/1,
              fold_literal/1, is_literal/1.

       update_c_alias(Old::cerl(),   Variable::cerl(),   Pattern::cerl())   ->
       cerl()

              See also: c_alias/2.

       update_c_apply(Old::cerl(),  Operator::cerl(),  Arguments::[cerl()]) ->
       cerl()

              See also: c_apply/2.

       update_c_binary(Old::cerl(), Segments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_binary/1.

       update_c_bitstr(Old::cerl(), Value::cerl(), Size::cerl(), Type::cerl(),
       Flags::cerl()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent  to  update_c_bitstr(Node,  Value, Size, abstract(1),
              Type, Flags).

       update_c_bitstr(Old::cerl(), Value::cerl(), Size::cerl(), Unit::cerl(),
       Type::cerl(), Flags::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_bitstr/5, update_c_bitstr/5.

       update_c_call(Old::cerl(),    Module::cerl(),    Name::cerl(),    Argu-
       ments::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_call/3.

       update_c_case(Old::cerl(),  Argument::cerl(),   Clauses::[cerl()])   ->
       cerl()

              See also: c_case/2.

       update_c_catch(Old::cerl(), Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_catch/1.

       update_c_clause(Old::cerl(),     Patterns::[cerl()],     Guard::cerl(),
       Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_clause/3.

       update_c_cons(Old::cerl(), Head::cerl(), Tail::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_cons/2.

       update_c_cons_skel(Old::cerl(), Head::cerl(), Tail::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_cons_skel/2.

       update_c_fname(Old::cerl(), Name::atom()) -> cerl()

              Like update_c_fname/3, but takes the arity from Node.

              See also: c_fname/2, update_c_fname/3.

       update_c_fname(Old::cerl(), Name::atom(), Arity::arity()) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to update_c_var(Old, {Atom, Arity}).

              See also: c_fname/2, update_c_fname/2.

       update_c_fun(Old::cerl(), Variables::[cerl()], Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_fun/2.

       update_c_let(Node::c_let(),   Variables::[cerl()],    Argument::cerl(),
       Body::cerl()) -> c_let()

              See also: c_let/3.

       update_c_letrec(Old::cerl(),      Definitions::[{cerl(),      cerl()}],
       Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_letrec/2.

       update_c_map(C_map::c_map(),  M::cerl(),  Es::[cerl()])  ->  c_map()  |
       c_literal()

       update_c_map_pair(Old::c_map_pair(),      Op::map_op(),      K::cerl(),
       V::cerl()) -> c_map_pair()

       update_c_module(Old::cerl(), Name::cerl(), Exports,  Attrs::Attributes,
       Es::Definitions) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Exports = [cerl()]
                 Attributes = [{cerl(), cerl()}]
                 Definitions = [{cerl(), cerl()}]

              See also: c_module/4.

       update_c_primop(Old::cerl(),   Name::cerl(),   Arguments::[cerl()])  ->
       cerl()

              See also: c_primop/2.

       update_c_receive(Old::cerl(), Clauses::[cerl()],  Timeout::cerl(),  Ac-
       tion::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_receive/3.

       update_c_seq(Old::cerl(), Argument::cerl(), Body::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_seq/2.

       update_c_try(Old::cerl(),    Expression::cerl(),   Variables::[cerl()],
       Body::cerl(), EVars::[cerl()], Handler::cerl()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_try/5.

       update_c_tuple(Old::cerl(), Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_tuple/1.

       update_c_tuple_skel(Old::cerl(), Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_tuple_skel/1.

       update_c_values(Old::cerl(), Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: c_values/1.

       update_c_var(Old::cerl(), Name::var_name()) -> cerl()

              See also: c_var/1.

       update_data(Old::cerl(), Type::dtype(), Elements::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              See also: make_data/2.

       update_data_skel(Old::cerl(),  Type::dtype(),  Elements::[cerl()])   ->
       cerl()

              See also: make_data_skel/2.

       update_list(Old::cerl(), List::[cerl()]) -> cerl()

              Equivalent to update_list(Old, List, none).

       update_list(Old::cerl(), List::[cerl()], Tail) -> cerl()

              Types:

                 Tail = cerl() | none

              See also: make_list/2, update_list/2.

       update_tree(Old::cerl(), Groups::[[cerl()]]) -> cerl()

              Creates a syntax tree with the given subtrees, and the same type
              and  annotations  as  the  Old  node.  This  is  equivalent   to
              ann_make_tree(get_ann(Node),  type(Node),  Groups),  but  poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: ann_make_tree/3, get_ann/1, type/1, update_tree/3.

       update_tree(Old::cerl(), Type::ctype(), Groups::[[cerl()]]) -> cerl()

              Creates a syntax tree with the given type and subtrees, and  the
              same  annotations  as  the  Old  node.  This  is  equivalent  to
              ann_make_tree(get_ann(Node), Type, Groups), but potentially more
              efficient.

              See also: ann_make_tree/3, get_ann/1, update_tree/2.

       values_arity(Node::cerl()) -> integer()

              Returns  the  number  of  element  subtrees of an abstract value
              list.

              Note: This is equivalent to length(values_es(Node)), but  poten-
              tially more efficient.

              See also: c_values/1, values_es/1.

       values_es(Node::cerl()) -> [cerl()]

              Returns the list of element subtrees of an abstract value list.

              See also: c_values/1, values_arity/1.

       var_name(Node::cerl()) -> var_name()

              Returns the name of an abstract variable.

              See also: c_var/1.

AUTHORS
       Richard Carlsson <carlsson.richard@gmail.com>

                                compiler 7.6.1                      cerl(3erl)

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