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- {{!section-"building-asts-with-pure-ocaml"} Building ASTs with Pure OCaml}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-building-a-simple-integer-ast-manually"} Example: Building a Simple Integer AST Manually}}}
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- {{!section-"building-asts-with-ast_builder"} Building ASTs with `AST_builder`}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-1-using-pexp_constant-for-integer-ast"} Example 1: Using `pexp_constant` for Integer AST}}}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-2-using-eint-for-simplified-integer-ast"} Example 2: Using `eint` for Simplified Integer AST}}}
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- {{!section-"using-metaquot-for-ast-construction"} Using Metaquot for AST Construction}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-building-an-integer-ast-with-metaquot"} Example: Building an Integer AST with Metaquot}}}
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- {{!section-"using-anti-quotations-in-metaquot"} Using Anti-Quotations in Metaquot}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-inserting-dynamic-expressions-with-anti-quotations"} Example: Inserting Dynamic Expressions with Anti-Quotations}}}
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- {{!section-"building-complex-expressions"} Building Complex Expressions}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-1-constructing-a-let-expression-with-ast_builder"} Example 1: Constructing a Let Expression with `AST_builder`}}}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-2-constructing-a-let-expression-with-metaquot"} Example 2: Constructing a Let Expression with Metaquot}}}
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- {{!section-conclusion} Conclusion}
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{1:description Description}
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Building an AST (Abstract Syntax Tree) is a fundamental part of creating a PPX in OCaml. You'll need to construct an AST to represent the code you want to generate or transform.
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For example, if you want to generate the following code:
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{[
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let zero = [%int 0]
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]}
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and replace the extension point `[%int 0]` with `0` to produce `let zero = 0`, you’ll need to build an AST that represents this transformation.
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There are several methods to build an AST. We’ll discuss three approaches:
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- {b Building ASTs with Pure OCaml}
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- {b Building ASTs with `AST_builder`}
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- {b Using Metaquot for AST Construction}
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{1:building-asts-with-pure-ocaml Building ASTs with Low-Level Builders}
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The most fundamental way to build an AST is to manually construct it using Low-Level Builders data structures.
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{2:example-building-a-simple-integer-ast-manually Example: Building a Simple Integer AST Manually}
This approach is shorter and easier to understand.
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{1:conclusion Conclusion}
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In this section, we explored three methods for building ASTs:
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- {b Pure OCaml}: The most basic but verbose approach.
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- {b Using `AST_builder`}: A more readable and maintainable option.
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- {b Using Metaquot}: The most intuitive method, especially when combined with Anti-Quotations for dynamic values.
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Each method has its strengths, so choose the one that best fits your needs. Understanding all three will give you greater flexibility in creating effective and maintainable PPXs.
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{2 Next Steps}
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On the next section, we will learn how to destructure an AST. {{:../b%20-%20Destructing%20AST/README.md} Read more}
- {{!section-"using-ast_pattern-high-level-destructors"} Using `Ast_pattern` High-Level Destructors}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-1-matching-integer-payload-with-ast_pattern"} Example 1: Matching Integer Payload with `Ast_pattern`}}}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-2-simplifying-matching-with-eint"} Example 2: Simplifying Matching with `eint`}}}
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- {{!section-"using-metaquot"} Using Metaquot}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-1-matching-integer-payload-with-metaquot"} Example 1: Matching Integer Payload with Metaquot}}}
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{ul {- {{!section-"example-2-matching-complex-expressions-with-metaquot-and-anti-quotations"} Example 2: Matching Complex Expressions with Metaquot and Anti-Quotations}}}
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- {{!section-"conclusion"} Conclusion}
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{1:description Description}
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Destructuring an AST (Abstract Syntax Tree) is essential when creating a PPX (preprocessor extension) in OCaml. To generate or transform code, you must first break down the AST to understand and manipulate its structure.
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For example, if you want to transform this code:
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{[
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let one = [%one]
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]}
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into:
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{[
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let one = 1
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]}
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You’ll need to destructure the AST representing the extension point (`[%one]`) to replace it with `1`.
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There are several ways to destructure an AST. We’ll explore three methods:
Metaquot simplifies the process, making the AST patterns more readable, especially for complex structures.
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{1:conclusion Conclusion}
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In this section, we explored different methods to destructure an AST using PPXLib:
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- {b AST Structure Pattern Matching}: Powerful but verbose.
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- {b Using `Ast_pattern` High-Level Destructors}: More readable and maintainable.
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- {b Using Metaquot}: Intuitive and effective for both simple and complex patterns.
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There’s no right way to destructure an AST, choose the approach that best fits your use case. Understanding all these methods is valuable for creating robust and maintainable PPXs.
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{1:next-steps Next Steps}
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On the next section, we will learn how to write a PPX. {{:../../2%20-%20Writing%20PPXs/README.md} Read more}
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