Wart: An Experimental Lisp Language
Wart is a unique and experimental programming language that offers a simple yet powerful approach to Lisp programming. Developed by Kartik K. Agaram in 2010, Wart is designed to be a small, readable version of Lisp, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and extensibility. While the language itself may be relatively obscure compared to mainstream programming languages, its design philosophy and features make it an intriguing subject for those interested in programming language design and the evolution of Lisp-based languages.
Origins of Wart
Wart was created as an experimental project with the goal of refining the concepts of Lisp while making it more approachable for new users and easier to use for existing Lisp enthusiasts. Agaram, the creator of Wart, sought to create a language that was both minimalistic in design yet fully functional for building software applications. The primary motivation behind Wart was to strip down the complexities found in more traditional Lisp dialects, removing unnecessary syntactic features while retaining the power and flexibility that Lisp offers.
The creation of Wart was influenced by the need to build a language that was easy to read and use, with a focus on practical applications. The language features a small and concise syntax, which allows programmers to quickly learn and understand it without becoming overwhelmed by extensive documentation or language features. Wart’s goal is not only to make Lisp more approachable but also to promote the practice of writing clear, well-tested, and modular code.
Key Features of Wart
Wart comes with a number of distinctive features that set it apart from other Lisp dialects and programming languages in general. These features are integral to its design philosophy of simplicity and readability, making it a fascinating tool for developers looking to experiment with a minimalist Lisp language.
-
Comments: Wart supports the use of comments, making it easy for developers to document their code. The language allows both line comments, which begin with the hash (
#) symbol, as well as block comments, making it easier to annotate code and explain its functionality. Comments are a crucial part of any programming language as they help developers understand the purpose of certain code blocks, especially when collaborating in larger projects. -
Semantic Indentation: One notable feature that Wart does not support is semantic indentation. While many modern programming languages, such as Python, rely on indentation to define the scope of code blocks, Wart does not follow this convention. This decision was made to keep the language syntax minimal and avoid unnecessary complications that could arise from relying too heavily on indentation to control code flow.
-
Line Comments: Wart utilizes line comments, which are a simple and effective way to add explanations to specific lines of code. The line comment token
#is used to denote a comment, and anything following this token on that line is considered a comment. This feature aligns with the goal of providing clarity and readability in the language. -
Extensibility: One of the standout features of Wart is its extensibility. The language supports the creation of new functions and macros, which can be added to the language to extend its functionality. This makes Wart highly flexible and adaptable for developers who wish to customize the language to suit their particular needs or build new abstractions on top of the core language.
-
Thorough Unit Tests: Wart places a strong emphasis on testing. The language comes with thorough unit tests to ensure that the core functionality works as expected and to provide a foundation for further development. This focus on unit testing is critical in maintaining code quality and reliability, making Wart an appealing choice for developers who value robust testing practices.
The Development of Wart
Wart was first introduced in 2010 by Kartik K. Agaram. The language’s GitHub repository describes it as an experimental, small, and readable Lisp with thorough unit tests and extensible functions/macros. Despite its relatively low profile compared to more established programming languages, Wart has garnered attention from those interested in the evolution of Lisp-like languages and the design of small-scale, highly readable programming languages.
As of its first commit in 2010, Wart has been a project for exploration and experimentation, allowing developers to play with language features and concepts in a small, contained environment. Although Wart may not be widely used in production environments, its development provides valuable insights into language design and the potential benefits of simplicity in programming.
The Wart GitHub repository, accessible at http://akkartik.name/post/wart, provides developers with access to the source code, allowing them to contribute to the project or adapt it for their own needs. As an open-source project, Wart invites collaboration from programmers who are passionate about language design, Lisp, or experimentation with new programming paradigms.
Wart’s Place in the Lisp Family
Lisp has a long history, dating back to the late 1950s, and has influenced many modern programming languages. Over the years, numerous dialects of Lisp have emerged, each adding its own features and capabilities. Wart can be considered a minimalist addition to the Lisp family, providing a highly simplified version of the language that retains much of Lisp’s core functionality. Wart focuses on readability, simplicity, and extensibility, without the complexities that often come with more feature-heavy Lisp dialects.
Unlike some of the more popular Lisp dialects such as Common Lisp or Scheme, Wart does not focus on achieving full compatibility with these languages or extending their feature sets. Instead, Wart aims to provide a fresh perspective on Lisp by stripping away unnecessary features and presenting a simpler, more readable alternative. This simplicity is one of the reasons why Wart has attracted interest from developers who are looking for a smaller and more approachable Lisp-like language.
The lack of semantic indentation in Wart is a conscious design decision that differentiates it from languages like Python, which rely on indentation for scoping. This decision reflects the minimalist approach of Wart, which aims to keep the language as simple and straightforward as possible. While this lack of indentation-based scoping might seem like a limitation to some, it aligns with the language’s overall goal of being a small and readable language that is easy to work with.
Wart’s Future and Community Involvement
As an experimental project, Wart is still evolving, and its future development will depend on the involvement of the community. While Wart may not yet be as widely used as other programming languages, it has the potential to serve as a useful tool for learning about Lisp and experimenting with language design. Developers interested in contributing to Wart can do so by exploring the source code, submitting issues, and proposing changes or enhancements to the language.
Community involvement is crucial to the continued growth and development of any open-source project, and Wart is no exception. The language’s open-source nature invites contributions from developers with a range of expertise, from novice programmers to seasoned experts. As Wart gains more exposure, it could evolve into a useful tool for both learning and practical development, as well as a valuable resource for those interested in the design and creation of programming languages.
Conclusion
Wart is an experimental Lisp language created by Kartik K. Agaram that aims to simplify and make Lisp more approachable while retaining its core power and flexibility. With a focus on readability, extensibility, and testing, Wart offers a unique perspective on Lisp-based programming languages. Though it is a small and relatively niche language, Wart’s design philosophy and features make it an intriguing project for developers interested in language design, simplicity, and experimentation.
As Wart continues to develop, it has the potential to become a valuable tool for both novice programmers and experienced developers looking to explore a minimalist Lisp dialect. Its open-source nature ensures that anyone interested in contributing or learning more about Wart can access its code and engage with the community. Ultimately, Wart serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of Lisp and its capacity for innovation, even in a world dominated by more mainstream programming languages.