Built in packages - Manhunter07/MFL GitHub Wiki

Although you can create and load own packages, the compiler initially links a set of default packages. They provide a basic foundation for a swift start with some essential functionality like console input/output, type conversion or date/time operations. Built-in packages can be linked just like normal packages and offer the same kinds of features (except for the System package that is always available). Their functions and other kinds of objects however are usually built-in, too, allowing only minimal debugging and source viewing.

System package

Main article: System

The most fundamental features and essential objects like the Boolean type for example are located in the System package. It is linked implicitely and contains all the essential features the compiler needs to assemble the application, but also other useful constants, functions and types.

Other built-in packages

System.Console

Main article: System.Console

This package offers access to the system console in console apps, like functions for buffered reading and writing within the console window. Only available if the program is compiled as a console application.

System.Library

Main article: System.Library

System.Convert

Main article: System.Convert

This package offers conversion routines between the data types, like an explicit ToString function that tries to convert a given value to its string representation.

System.Random

Main article: System.Random This package offers access to randomization functions, like a Randomize function to randomize the seed in an application.

System.DateTime

Main article: System.DateTime

This package offers data types and supporting routines to work with dates and times, like a DateTime type.

System.Thread

Main article: System.Thread

This package offers basic threading capabilities, like getting information on the current thread or executing asynchronous tasks.

System.RegEx

Main article: System.RegEx

This package offers routines that help dealing with regular expressions.

System.JSON

Main article: _System.JSON

This package offers routines that add JSON support to an application, like converting a JSON string to a record.

System.Info

Main article: System.Info

This package offers run-time information on declared objects like types. These include routines to get declared names or other information at run-time.

System.File

Main article: System.File

This package offers routines for working with files, like loading a file into memory or saving a file on the drive.

System.CStr

Main article: System.CStr

This package offers a C-style string type and routines that support C-formatted strings implemented as memory pointers.