es6_maps, new Elixir syntax feature via runtime compiler hacking
Hi HN! I thought you might enjoy this even if you don't know much about Elixir. `es6_maps` is a small library that introduces a "shorthand" map creation syntax, similar to shorthand object construction in JavaScript/TypeScript. For those unfamiliar with Elixir, the most interesting aspect might be how it achieves this. `es6_maps` takes advantage of BEAM (Erlang's VM) hot-reload capabilities to amend the Elixir compiler bytecode at runtime, adding functions that expand the shorthand syntax for further compilation. I think it's a nice showcase of the power you can wield (with care) when…
In plain words
es6_maps is an Elixir library that adds JavaScript-style shorthand syntax for creating maps at runtime. It works by modifying the Elixir compiler's bytecode through BEAM's hot-reload capabilities to expand the shorthand notation before compilation. The library is designed for Elixir developers who want more concise map syntax and serves as a demonstration of what's possible when manipulating the BEAM virtual machine's compilation process.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN! I thought you might enjoy this even if you don't know much about Elixir. `es6_maps` is a small library that introduces a "shorthand" map creation syntax, similar to shorthand object construction in JavaScript/TypeScript. For those unfamiliar with Elixir, the most interesting aspect might be how it achieves this. `es6_maps` takes advantage of BEAM (Erlang's VM) hot-reload capabilities to amend the Elixir compiler bytecode at runtime, adding functions that expand the shorthand syntax for further compilation. I think it's a nice showcase of the power you can wield (with care) when writing in BEAM languages. Let me know what you think!
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