A module is a sort of "plug-in": a software package that can easilybe used by other programmers. Modules can contain methods, classes,constants, and also other modules. We will use the term membersfor something, such as a method, that a module contains. Some modulesare written in Pike, but C and C++ can also be used.
Pike is delivered with a number of useful modules.Here is a list of a few of the more interesting modules.
- Stdio
This module is used for reading and writing files, and also forcommunication over the Internet, and for text-based dialogues with theuser. We have used the Stdio module in several examples in thistutorial.
- GTK
A toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces, with windows,buttons and so on.
- Image
Processing and manipulation of pictures.
- Protocols
Various protocols, i. e. ways of communicating. One of these isProtocols.HTTP, which is used to communicate with World WideWeb servers in order to retrieve web pages. Some other supportedprotocols are DNS, IMAP, IRC, LDAP,LysKOM, NNTP, SMTP, and TELNET.
- MIME
Support for coding and encoding using MIME, which is used inelectronic mail.
- Crypto
Support for cryptography.
- Calendar
Support for various calendar and date formats.
- Mysql
This module lets Pike use SQL database queries, with the mySQLdatabase server.
- Thread
Support for threaded execution of Pike programs.
- Process
Functions to start and control other processes.
- Getopt
Routines to interpret and handle command line options.
- LR
LALR(1) parser generator.
- Yp
Network Information System support.
- Gz
Support for unpacking compressed files.
- Regexp
Support for matching so-called regular expressions.
Depending on which operating system you are using, and on exactlyhow Pike was installed on your system, some of these modules may notbe available.
