modum 0.1.1

Attribute macro that rewrites named items into module::item paths
Documentation

modum

modum is a proc-macro attribute that rewrites one named Rust item into a generated module path:

NameLikeThis -> name::LikeThis (or name::like_this / name::LIKE_THIS depending on item kind).

Why Use modum?

  • Reduce top-level namespace noise by grouping related items under lightweight modules.
  • Keep call-sites readable with stable module::item access patterns.
  • Make naming conventions explicit across types, functions, and constants.
  • Stay compile-time only: no runtime cost, just generated Rust.

The Problem modum Solves

In medium/large crates, top-level items pile up quickly:

  • similar prefixes repeated across many items (UserCreate, UserDelete, UserList, ...)
  • naming collisions between constants/functions/types
  • uneven style drift between Pascal/camel/snake naming sources

modum turns the first semantic segment into a namespace module, so names become easier to scan and group:

  • UserCreate -> user::Create
  • userCreate -> user::create (for fn)
  • USER_TOTAL -> user::TOTAL (for const/static)

How modum Works

#[modum]:

  1. Parses the item identifier into segments (PascalCase, camelCase, or snake_case).
  2. Uses the first segment as the generated module name (lowercase).
  3. Uses the remaining segments as the inner item name.
  4. Re-emits your item as:
pub mod <head> {
    pub <item renamed to tail>;
}

The original top-level item name is removed. The generated module path is the API.

Table of Contents

Quick Start

use modum::modum;

#[modum]
pub struct WhatEver;

#[modum]
pub fn myFunction() -> u32 {
    7
}

#[modum]
pub const STATE_TOTAL: usize = 22;

fn demo() {
    let _ = what::Ever;
    let _ = my::function();
    let _ = state::TOTAL;
}

Naming Model

Input Styles

  • PascalCase
  • camelCase
  • snake_case

Split Rule

  • First segment -> module name (lowercase)
  • Remaining segments -> tail item name

Tail Casing by Item Kind

  • struct, enum, trait, type, union -> PascalCase
  • fn -> snake_case
  • const, static -> SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE

Examples

  • HTTPServer (struct) -> http::Server
  • myHTTPServer (fn) -> my::http_server
  • state_total (const) -> state::TOTAL
  • STATE_TOTAL (const) -> state::TOTAL

Supported Items

#[modum] supports:

  • struct
  • enum
  • trait
  • type
  • union
  • fn (free function)
  • const
  • static

Unsupported item kinds fail with a compile-time error.

Examples

Structs and Enums

use modum::modum;

#[modum]
pub struct ReviewState;

#[modum]
pub enum HTTPStatus {
    Ok,
    Err,
}

fn demo() {
    let _ = review::State;
    let _ = http::Status::Ok;
}

Functions

use modum::modum;

#[modum]
pub fn myFunction() -> u32 {
    1
}

fn demo() {
    let _ = my::function();
}

Const and Static

use modum::modum;

#[modum]
pub const STATE_TOTAL: usize = 22;

#[modum]
pub static METRIC_SUM: usize = 99;

fn demo() {
    let _ = state::TOTAL;
    let _ = metric::SUM;
}

Traits and Type Aliases

use modum::modum;

#[modum]
pub trait RequestHandler {
    fn handle(&self) -> u8;
}

#[modum]
pub type AppList<T> = Vec<T>;

struct Worker;

impl request::Handler for Worker {
    fn handle(&self) -> u8 {
        3
    }
}

Common Errors and Tips

  • Single-segment names are rejected:

    • Foo or foo do not have enough segments.
    • Use at least two segments, like FooBar, foo_bar, fooBar.

  • Macro ordering with derives/attr macros matters:

    • Prefer placing #[modum] above #[derive(...)] and similar attribute macros.
    • Example: 
      #[modum]
#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
pub struct MetaData;

  • Duplicate generated module names will conflict:

    • Two items whose first segment is the same in the same scope both generate the same module.
    • Example: app_value and app_state both try to create mod app.

  • Original top-level name no longer exists:

    • After rewrite, use module::Item only.

API Reference

#[modum]

Apply to one supported named item.

use modum::modum;

#[modum]
pub struct PascalCase;

Generated shape:

pub mod pascal {
    pub struct Case;
}

Rules:

  • No macro arguments are accepted (#[modum(...)] is invalid).
  • Item attributes (other than #[modum]) are preserved.
  • Visibility is preserved on both generated module and inner item.

Limitations

  • Only supported on the item kinds listed above.
  • Does not currently merge multiple transformed items into one generated module.
  • Renaming/moving into a module can affect privacy and path resolution in edge cases.

License

MIT