Rev 3.8 release brings initial I/O library, import clauses

We are pleased to release alpha revision 3.8 of the ParaSail compiler and virtual machine, available at the same URL:

http://bit.ly/Mx9DRb

This release includes a number of new features, including support for the import clause, and a standard library now defining modules with names like PSL::Core::Boolean and PSL::Containers::Set (rather than simply Boolean or Set). There are some new I/O modules, including PSL::Core::IO, PSL::Core::File_Input_Stream, and PSL::Core::File_Output_Stream. These last two support simple textual file I/O. We will be providing additional libraries oriented toward a graphical user interface in an upcoming release. The reference manual has also been updated to cover some of the newer features. As usual, consult the release notes for more details on the 3.8 revision.

We will write a separate blog entry about the design of the import clause -- it brought out some interesting issues. Every ParaSail module has an implicit import of PSL::Core::* and PSL::Containers::* so the introduction of the import clause shouldn't cause any compatibility issues with existing code.