$ContextPath
is a global variable that gives a list of contexts to search, before $Context, in trying to find a symbol that has been entered.
Details
- Each context is specified by a string of the form "name`".
- The elements of $ContextPath are tested in order to try to find a context containing a particular symbol.
- $ContextPath is modified by BeginPackage and EndPackage.
- $ContextPath is a rough analog for Wolfram Language symbols of the "search path" for files in many operating systems.
Examples
open allclose allBasic Examples (2)
The default contexts for looking up symbols:
The symbol Integrate can be found because it is in the "System`" context:
If a symbol with a given name is not found in one of the contexts in $ContextPath, it will be created:
It is created in the context given by $Context:
Scope (2)
$ContextPath must always be a list of strings:
Both simple and compound contexts can be included in $ContextPath:
Applications (1)
Add Developer` context to the context path:
PackedArrayForm is a command in the Developer` context that can now be used directly:
Properties & Relations (6)
Symbols on $ContextPath are found before symbols in $Context with the same name:
System`Grad is found because "System`" is by default a member of $ContextPath:
Contexts on $ContextPath are searched in order:
Reversing the order of "cont1`" and "cont2`" changes which x is found:
If an input symbol contains context marker (`), $ContextPath is ignored:
The variable x in the current context is found:
However, inner`x is not appended to "outer`", which is on the path, to form outer`inner`x:
BeginPackage changes $ContextPath to consist of "System`" and the package context:
EndPackage restores the previous value of $ContextPath with the package context prepended:
Begin does not alter the value of $ContextPath:
Neither does End:
An active context alias cannot be added to $ContextPath:
Text
Wolfram Research (1988), $ContextPath, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/$ContextPath.html (updated 2007).
CMS
Wolfram Language. 1988. "$ContextPath." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. Last Modified 2007. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/$ContextPath.html.
APA
Wolfram Language. (1988). $ContextPath. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/$ContextPath.html