[Gardeners] Potting Soil: Count the Colons

[Pascal Bourguignon]

Jonathan Fischer writes:
> Ditto the thanks!  I've a question though: is there any difference
> between using the keyword symbols and normal symbols in the exports
> list?
> 
> e.g.
> (defpackage mypackage
>   (:use :common-lisp)
>   (:export :foo :bar))
> Vs.
> 
> (defpackage mypackage
>   (:use :common-lisp)
>   (:export foo bar))
> 
> Now that I think about it, I've seen people use keyword symbols for the
> package names too.

Yes.
Try this:

(in-package :cl-user)
(defpackage mypackage
  (:use :common-lisp)
  (:export foo bar))
(use-package 'mypackage)


Remember that symbols are interned by the reader when they are read,
in the current package.


You can use :keywords, or #:uninterned-symbols, or "STRINGS".

I prefer to use strings (in programs):

(defpackage "MYPACKAGE"
  (:use "COMMON-LISP")
  (:export "FOO" "BAR"))

Interactively, I've been observed using keywords.

-- 
__Pascal Bourguignon__                     http://www.informatimago.com/

"Klingon function calls do not have "parameters" -- they have
"arguments" and they ALWAYS WIN THEM."