Generating QOF Files and Dependencies

When Prolog files contain embedded commands to compile other files, each Prolog source file is compiled into a separate QOF file with one exception: if a module-file contains a command to load a non-module file, then the non-module-file is compiled directly into the QOF file corresponding to the module-file. That is, there is no separate QOF file for a non-module-file that is loaded into a module unless it is loaded into the default module user. Each QOF file is written into the same directory as the corresponding Prolog source file.

Embedded ensure_loaded/1 and use_module/[1,2,3] commands also cause the specified files to be compiled unless there is a corresponding QOF file more recent than the corresponding Prolog source file. For example,

     :- ensure_loaded(file).
     

causes file.pl to be compiled unless there is a file.qof more recent than the source. In the case where the QOF file is more recent than the .pl file, then the file is not compiled again. However, the QOF file's dependencies are checked and recompiled if not up to date.