Waddle Programming Language

Overview

Waddle is a modern, expressive programming language designed to be intuitive, readable, and powerful. It combines elements of object-oriented and functional programming with a focus on clarity and developer productivity.

Key Features

Language Characteristics

• Strong, static typing
• Object-oriented with interface support
• Functional programming constructs
• Explicit error handling
• Concise syntax

Core Design Principles

• Readability first
• Explicit over implicit
• Minimal cognitive overhead
• Flexible type system

Basic Syntax

Type Declaration

// Basic type definition
Animal {
    // Type implementation
}

// Inheritance
Animal/Dog {
    // Dog-specific implementations
}

// Interface definition
@Mammal {
    // Interface methods
}

// Interface implementation
Animal/Dog -> [Mammal, Domesticated] {
    // Multiple interface support
}

Functions

// Function declaration
// Public function
+fn calculateArea(width: Integer, height: Integer) -> [Decimal] {
    rtn width.multiply(height);
}

// Protected Function
fn calculateArea(width: Integer, height: Integer) -> [Decimal] {
    rtn width.multiply(height);
}

// Private Function
-fn calculateArea(width: Integer, height: Integer) -> [Decimal] {
    rtn width.multiply(height);
}

// Lambda expression
areaCalculator = fn(width: Integer, height: Integer) -> [Decimal] {
    rtn width.multiply(height);
}

Error Handling

result = riskyOperation().attempt {
    ok {
        // Successful execution
        my.output.print("Operation successful");
    }
    
    ValueError {
        // Handle specific value errors
        my.logger.log(error.getMessage());
    }
    
    error {
        // Catch-all error handling
        my.criticalLogger.alert("Unexpected error");
    }
}

Iteration

// Forward iteration
loop(i, 0->10) {
    my.output.print(i);
}

// Foward iteration, with step
loop(i, 0->10, 2) {
    my.output.print(i); // outputs 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
}

// Reverse iteration
rloop(i, 10->0) {
    my.output.print(i);
}

// Reverse iteration, with step
rloop(i, 10->0, 2) {
    my.output.print(i); // outputs 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0
}

Type System

Primitive Types

• String
• Integer
• Decimal
• Boolean

Advanced Types

• Arrays: Type<>
• Custom types
• Interface types

Unique Language Constructs

Dot Notation Methods

• All objects have built-in methods
• Chainable method calls
• Explicit operations

my.text.set("Hello")
    .concat(" World")
    .length();

Object Lifecycle

• Explicit constructors: on_create
• Explicit destructors: on_destroy

Planned Features

• Enhanced concurrency support
• Expanded standard library
• Advanced module system

Installation

Detailed installation instructions will be added as the language develops

Contribution

Interested in contributing to Waddle?

• Report issues on this repository
• Submit pull requests
• Provide feedback and suggestions

License

Read the LICENSE.md file

Current Status

Waddle is currently in active development. The language specification and implementation are evolving.