Question 1

How do I format dates in Erlang like in PHP?

Accepted Answer

Use the ec_date module from Erlware Commons, which supports PHP-like formatting rules for Erlang datetime tuples, but note it doesn't handle timezones and disambiguates US/European dates based on separators like slashes or dashes.

Question 2

Erlware Commons vs standard Erlang libraries: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Erlware Commons supplements stdlib with production-tested utilities like parallel lists and SemVer parsing, but for basic functions, stdlib is sufficient and more stable. Choose Erlware Commons when you need specific gaps filled, such as parallel operations or detailed date formatting.

Question 3

How to parallelize a list map operation in Erlang?

Accepted Answer

Use ec_plists:map/2 from Erlware Commons, which works similarly to lists:map but runs in parallel. Configure the 'malt' parameter to optimize for IO-bound or CPU-bound tasks, and refer to the module documentation for examples on tuning performance.

Question 4

Does Erlware Commons support semantic versioning?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the ec_semver module provides a complete parser and comparator for the Semantic Versioning standard, making it easy to parse, compare, and handle version strings in Erlang projects, as it's a dedicated utility not found in stdlib.

Question 5

What are dictionary signatures in Erlware Commons?

Accepted Answer

Dictionary signatures, like ec_dictionary, define a consistent interface for key-value stores, similar to interfaces in other languages. Implementations use Erlang's dict, gb_trees, orddict, and rbdict, allowing for modular and interchangeable data structures in your code.

Question 6

How to install Erlware Commons in my Erlang project?

Accepted Answer

Add erlware_commons as a dependency in your rebar.config or mix.exs file; it's available on Hex.pm with version badges shown in the README. Check the GitHub repository for specific instructions and ensure compatibility with your Erlang/OTP version.

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