Node:Importation, Next:Meta Exp, Previous:Def Modules, Up:Module Intro
When a module-file is loaded by load_files/[1,2] or one of its
shorthands (see Read In), by default all the public predicates of the
module-file are imported by the receiving module. An explicit list of
predicates to import may also be specified.
Clashes with already existing predicates, local or imported from other
modules, are handled in two different ways: If the receiving module is
the user module, the user is asked for redefinition of the
predicate. For other receiving modules, a warning is issued and the
importation is canceled. In the first case redefinition silently takes
place if the flag redefine_warnings has the value off (see
prolog_flag/3). The binding of an imported predicate remains,
even if the origin is reloaded or deleted. However, abolish/[1,2]
break up the importation binding. When a module-file is reloaded, a
check is made that the predicates imported by other modules are still in
the public list. If that is not the case, a warning is issued. Note
that an imported predicate may be re-exported.