TAV-PL

In the last decade, I have specified and implemented an unusual programming language that fits my personal taste.

I am constantly revising the language, so some details will change.

There is a Tutorial (also as PDF) and a Language Description (also as PDF), plus a simple TAV-PL playground to test small programs online (including more elaborate examples not in the tutorial).

TAV-PL is a precompiler for the C programming language; the current version is developed and tested in Debian Linux. Supporting Windows was checked years ago and was working; real support requires someone with corresponding experience.

The differences and highlights are:

• C precompiler, works on any system with a reasonable C compiler
• Block structuring by indentation, like in Python; line oriented
• No keywords in the core language, only symbols and bigraphs
• Variables are of any kind (type) dynamically; no declarations
• Function definition and calls by word sequences with interspersed parameters, often no parenthesis needed
• Maps (dictionaries) with all kinds of keys (except floating-point numbers)
• Rows (arrays) if the keys are close integers, dynamically expanding
• Arbitrary precision integer and rational numbers
• Dynamic Unicode strings
• Fields for extra data in rows and maps
• Attributes for information about an item (object)
• Fault items for reliable error handling
• Basic support for object-oriented programming (no inheritance)
• Discretionary type system specified, but not yet tested

The source code for the compiler, runtime system and library are available as open source: http://tavpl.de. There you will find also a minimal deb package (without dependencies) and an AppImage to compile and run programs without installation.

If you have comments or questions, write to info@tavpl.de or try a chat with tavpl via JAMI or with tav@glaschick.de via XMPP.