Function Entry: CLAL-COMPILE-FILE

clal-compile-file

clautolisp Extension Function

(clal-compile-file source-file [output-file])

• source-file — a string naming an AutoLISP source file, resolved the way load resolves its argument.
• output-file (optional) — a string naming the artefact. When omitted, the source name with type .lap, beside the source.

Compile source-file into a .lap compiled application.

A .lap is a native host FASL, renamed — the clautolisp analogue of AutoCAD .fas and BricsCAD .des. It loads into a running image alongside other applications, which is what an AutoLISP application has to be, and it is therefore specific to the host Lisp (SBCL or CCL) and to the clautolisp version that built it. Builds that differ are kept in different directories, not distinguished by name.

This compiles; it does not load. That is the division Common Lisp makes between compile-file and load, and the one vlisp-compile makes.

Unlike the compilation that happens on its own during load, this does not consult SPEED: the qualities govern what the engine does on its own initiative, not what it does when told.

T when the artefact was written; nil when the source could not be located (with errno 73) or the host compiler failed — the same contract vlisp-compile has.

Writes the artefact. Does not define anything in the calling image.

Signals :compiler-not-available in a clautolisp built without the compiler. Signals from require-string when source-file is not a string. A missing source is reported by the return value.

(clal-compile-file "geometry.lsp")
=> T                                 ; wrote geometry.lap
(load "geometry.lap")

• clautolisp: since 2.0.9; writes a .lap since 2.0.10.
• AutoCAD: NOT present.
• BricsCAD: NOT present.

• clautolisp-only extension; specified by pjb 2026-08-27. The vendor analogue is vlisp-compile, which writes an artefact.