Using Compilation Tracers to Rewrite Imports to Aliases in Elixir

In this article, Wojtek Mach discusses how compilation tracers in Elixir can be used to create a tool named import2alias, which automatically converts imported functions into aliases. Mach describes the motivation behind the tool, showing how it was applied to the Hex.pm codebase. The article includes technical details, examples, and code snippets showcasing how to set up and use the import2alias script. It also highlights updates and improvements in the Elixir compiler that aid in making such tools more efficient and introduces enhancements in the handling of EEx templates. The author emphasizes how these changes could benefit future tooling, stacktraces, and editor integrations. The article ends with a note about the broader implications of these changes for the Elixir ecosystem.