Qlot – A project-local library installer for Common Lisp

Qlot is a project-local library installer for Common Lisp. It is similar to the popular Ruby tool, Bundler, and provides a way to manage dependencies for a Common Lisp project.

Qlot works by creating a “lockfile” that lists the specific versions of the libraries required by a project. This lockfile can then be used to install the exact same versions of the libraries on any machine or environment, ensuring that the project will always have the same dependencies.

To use Qlot, you first need to install it using Quicklisp, the package manager for Common Lisp. Once installed, you can create a new Qlot file for your project by running the “qlot init” command in your project directory. This will create a new file called “qlfile” that you can use to specify the libraries required by your project.

To install the libraries specified in the qlfile, you can run the “qlot install” command. This will create a new directory called “.qlot” in your project directory and install the libraries there. You can then load these libraries in your Common Lisp code using the usual “require” function.

One of the benefits of using Qlot is that it allows you to isolate your project’s dependencies from the rest of your system. This can be useful if you have multiple projects with different library requirements, or if you want to ensure that your project is using specific versions of libraries that may conflict with other projects on your system.

Overall, Qlot is a useful tool for managing Common Lisp dependencies and ensuring that your project always has the required libraries available.

Why use Qlot?

Qlot is a programming language that has several benefits that make it useful for certain types of tasks. Here are some reasons why you might use Qlot:

  1. Dependency management: Qlot allows you to specify and manage dependencies for your projects. It uses a lockfile to ensure that your project dependencies are always consistent and reproducible across different environments.
  2. Easy setup:  is easy to set up and use, with a simple command-line interface. It does not require any special configuration or setup, making it ideal for small to medium-sized projects.
  3. Fast and efficient: is designed to be fast and efficient, with minimal overhead. It does not require a lot of memory or processing power, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments.
  4. Cross-platform support:  supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, so you can use it on any system.
  5. Customizable:  is highly customizable, allowing you to configure it to suit your specific needs. You can customize everything from the package installation path to the package cache location.

Overall, if you are working on a project that requires efficient dependency management and a simple, lightweight toolchain, then  may be a good choice for you.

Tips for using Qlot :

Here are some tips for using Qlot:

  1. Use a lockfile: Always use a lockfile to manage your project dependencies. This will ensure that your dependencies are consistent across different environments and that your project will work as expected.
  2. Keep your dependencies up to date: Regularly update your dependencies to ensure that you are using the latest versions of the packages you need. However, be sure to test your project thoroughly after each update to make sure that everything still works as expected.
  3. Use the  command: Use the  command to create a standalone binary of your project that includes all the necessary dependencies. This makes it easy to distribute your project to others without requiring them to install dependencies manually.
  4. Use  to run your project: Always use  to run your project instead of running it directly. This will ensure that the correct version of the dependencies is loaded and that there are no conflicts with other packages.
  5. Customize Qlot:  is highly customizable, so take the time to explore the various configuration options and customize it to suit your specific needs. For example, you can change the default package installation path, cache location, and more.
  6. Use  with other tools:  works well with other Common Lisp tools and frameworks, such as Quicklisp, ASDF, and Roswell. Be sure to explore these tools and see how they can complement Qlot in your workflow.

By following these tips, you can use  to manage dependencies and build reliable, scalable Common Lisp projects.

Further reading :

Here are some resources you can use to learn more about Qlot and how to use it:

  1. The  documentation: The official  documentation provides detailed information on how to use , including installation instructions, commands, and configuration options.
  2. The Qlot GitHub repository: The  GitHub repository contains the source code for , as well as examples and documentation on how to use it.
  3. The Common Lisp Cookbook: The Common Lisp Cookbook contains several recipes that demonstrate how to use  in conjunction with other Common Lisp tools and frameworks.
  4. The Quicklisp documentation: Quicklisp is a package manager for Common Lisp that  works with. The Quicklisp documentation provides information on how to use Quicklisp with
  5. The Common Lisp subreddit: The Common Lisp subreddit is a great place to ask questions, get advice, and share tips and tricks with other Common Lisp developers, including those who use

By using these resources, you can learn more about Qlot and become more proficient in using it to manage dependencies in your Common Lisp projects.