autoload { func()file | aliasfile}

 

The autoload command defines the function named func or the alias named alias to be loaded from the file file. The name is defined so that subsequent references are valid, but the file is not read until the function or alias is executed. This permits command packages to be loaded on demand instead of being sourced at start up.

If file is not a path name, that is, does not contain any slashes, the list of directories given in the loadpath option is searched for a file named file. The default command file extension .acl is supplied if necessary.

If the function or alias name is already defined other than by an autoload command, the autoload command does nothing.

Examples