Factor has the ability to save the entire state of the system into an image file. The image contains a complete dump of all data and code in the current Factor instance.

save ( -- )

save-image ( path -- )

save-image-and-exit ( path -- )

To start Factor with a custom image, use the -i=image command line switch; see Command line switches for the VM.

One reason to save a custom image is if you find yourself loading the same libraries in every Factor session; some libraries take a little while to compile, so saving an image with those libraries loaded can save you a lot of time.

For example, to save an image with the web framework loaded,

New images can be created from scratch:
Bootstrapping new images

The Application deployment tool creates stripped-down images containing just enough code to run a single application.

See also
Object memory tools