From 938f49fc7835501192ccc7db7c1ab3174f050b34 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Louis Pilfold <louis@lpil.uk>
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:20:16 +0000
Subject: Let assert

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+<p>
+  Sometimes in our projects we want to use code written in other languages, most
+  commonly Erlang and JavaScript, depending on which runtime is being used.
+  Gleam's <em>external functions</em> and <em>external types</em> allow us to
+  import and use this non-Gleam code.
+</p>
+<p>
+  An external type is one that has no constructors. Gleam doesn't know what
+  shape it has or how to create one, it only knows that it exists.
+</p>
+<p>
+  An external function is one that has the <code>@external</code> attribute on
+  it, directing the compiler to use the specified module function as the
+  implementation, instead of Gleam code.
+</p>
+<p>
+  The compiler can't tell the types of functions written in other languages, so
+  when the external attribute is given type annotations must be provided. Gleam
+  trusts that the type given is correct so an inaccurate type annotation can
+  result in unexpected behaviour and crashes at runtime. Be careful!
+</p>
+<p>
+  External functions are useful but should be used sparingly. Prefer to write
+  Gleam code where possible.
+</p>
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