Calling function happens at runtime, where modules are already compiled. For macros modules are required to be compiled in a certain order, a.k.a. the module with the macros must be compiled before the module using those macros. This dependency in compilation order is set up by using require or import.
LostKobrakai
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gregvaughn
The order of compilation doesn’t matter with import because it is resolved at runtime. But the order of compilation matters with macros specifically because they happen at compile time.
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michalmuskala
Because macros can change semantics of the core language constructs, you have to explicitly opt-in into using them. This was a very early design decision.
4