Suppose you want to write a new program, something like a text editor. What language would you write it in? - It has to be as fast as possible, so interpreted languages are out.
- You don't want to micro manage memory, so C is out.
- You don't want to require programmers to have a degree, so C++ is out.
- You want fast startup and not depend on a big runtime, so Java is out.
- It has to run on most systems, anything with a C compiler, so D is out.
- You want to have fun making something new.
No existing language really meets these demands, so let's create a new one that does. Zimbu is an experimental programming language. It is a very practical, no-nonsense kind of language. It mixes the good things of many existing languages and avoids their deficiencies. And then throws in a few brand new ideas. GoalsMore on the Goals page. - easy to read back - code is read N times more often than it is written
- avoid common mistakes - make it difficult to write bad code (but you can write hacks if you really want to)
- keep it short and clear, don't state the same thing twice - no header files, don't repeat type specs
- the effect of a statement should be predictable and not depend on something in another file
- efficient execution: no startup delay, reasonable memory use - no Just In Time compiler effects
- support a wide range of applications - Zimbu can be used to write an OS kernel, a short script and a big GUI application
- portable - be able to compile and run on almost any system
- many standard data types, modules and classes - most things you need are already there
ChoicesMain choices made so far (more on the design page): - convert the program to C and use the C compiler to produce machine code (could be something else later)
- mostly use static type checking, also allow runtime type checking
- object oriented, all data is handled like an object, but there also are individual functions
- code files can contain one module and several classes, organize packages in directories; an import defines one symbol
- the standard modules and classes are available without imports, avoids boring work
- many modules are part of the language, they work the same way everywhere
- all keywords are in capitals, you can use all other names without worrying about the next version breaking your program
Status- The compiler can compile itself and run a few tests. The examples below run properly.
- A snapshot of the source code is available. Only parts of the language have been implemented and there are bugs and hacks.
- First steps are being made on ZWT, the UI in a browser.
- This website is incomplete, much more to follow.
More information on the main work items page. |   Want to try out Zimbu?Download a snapshot or clone the Mercurial repository from
code.google.com/p/zimbu
E.g.: hg clone https://zimbu.googlecode.com/hg/ zimbu
Want to discuss Zimbu?The mailist is here: http://groups.google.com/group/zimbu-discussExamplesHello World program: hello.zu: MAIN()
IO.write("Hello, World!\n")
}
Notes: - The entry point to the program is the MAIN() function.
- Keywords are in capitals, this avoids the problem that you need to know all keywords when picking a name. And it allows for adding keywords later without breaking an existing Zimbu program.
- The IO module contains I/O stuff. IO.write() writes to stdout. IO.stdout.write() would do the same. In Zimbu things that you use often are kept short. The long form is available for consistency.
- The IO module is part of the language, no need to import it, we know where it is.
- "\n" is a newline character. String escape characters are used like in C and Java. There also is IO.writeLine() which appends the newline character.
- There is no semicolon to end a statement.
- The }
character is used to end a block. There is no {, we know where the
block starts. This avoids useless discussions about where to put the {.
More examples: |
|
