directive

# `multifile/1`

## Description

    multifile(Name/Arity)
    multifile((Name/Arity, ...))
    multifile([Name/Arity, ...])

    multifile(Entity::Name/Arity)
    multifile((Entity::Name/Arity, ...))
    multifile([Entity::Name/Arity, ...])

    multifile(Module:Name/Arity)
    multifile((Module:Name/Arity, ...))
    multifile([Module:Name/Arity, ...])

    multifile(Name//Arity)
    multifile((Name//Arity, ...))
    multifile([Name//Arity, ...])

    multifile(Entity::Name//Arity)
    multifile((Entity::Name//Arity, ...))
    multifile([Entity::Name//Arity, ...])

    multifile(Module:Name//Arity)
    multifile((Module:Name//Arity, ...))
    multifile([Module:Name//Arity, ...])

Declares multifile predicates and multifile grammar rule non-terminals. In the case of object or category multifile predicates, the predicate (or non-terminal) must also have a scope directive in the object or category holding its primary declaration (i.e. the declaration without the `Entity::` prefix). Entities holding multifile predicate primary declarations must be compiled and loaded prior to any entities contributing with clauses for the multifile predicates (to prevent using multifile predicates to break entity encapsulation).

Protocols cannot declare or define multifile predicates as protocols cannot contain predicate definitions.

Warning

Some backend Prolog compilers declare the atom `multifile` as an operator for a lighter syntax. But this makes the code non-portable and is therefore a practice best avoided.

## Template and modes

    multifile(+qualified_predicate_indicator_term)
    multifile(+qualified_non_terminal_indicator_term)

## Examples

    :- multifile(table/3).
    :- multifile(user::hook/2).

See also

public/1, protected/1, private/1, predicate_property/2