`alive` language reference

This section documents all builtins and modules that are currently available in the alive programming language.

If you are new to alive, the getting started guide is the recommended place to start. If you are looking for information on adding your own module or contributing to alive, check out the developer documentation.

module index

These modules can be imported using require, import and import*.

builtins

These definitions are automatically loaded into the global Scope of every alive session.

bang (bang): – A `bang` value-constant.
def (builtin): – Declare symbols in current scope.
(def sym1 val-expr1 [sym2 val-expr2…])
Define the symbols sym1, sym2, … to resolve to the values of val-expr1, val-expr2, ….
defn (builtin): – Define a function.
(defn name-sym (p1 [p2…]) body-expr)
Declare a function and define it as name-sym in the current scope. The symbols p1, p2, … will resolve to the arguments passed when the function is invoked.
do (builtin): – Evaluate multiple expressions in a new scope.
(do expr1 [expr2…])
Evaluate expr1, expr2, … and return the value of the last expression.
doc (builtin): – Print documentation in console.
(doc sym)
Print the documentation for sym to the console
export (builtin): – Evaluate definitions in a new scope and return it.
(export expr1 [expr2…])
Evaluate expr1, expr2, … in a new Scope and return scope.
export* (builtin): – Export specific symbol definitions as a module/scope.
(export* sym1 [sym2…]) (export*)
Creates a scope containing the symbols sym1, sym2, … and returns it.

Copies the containing scope if no symbols are given.
false (bool): – The boolean constant `false`.
fn (builtin): – Declare a function.
(fn (p1 [p2…]) body-expr)
The symbols p1, p2, … will resolve to the arguments passed when the function is invoked.
if (builtin): – Make an evaltime const choice.
(if bool then-expr [else-expr])
bool has to be an evaltime constant. If it is truthy, this expression is equivalent to then-expr, otherwise it is equivalent to else-xpr if given, or nil otherwise.
import (builtin): – Require and define modules.
(import sym1 [sym2…])
Requires modules sym1, sym2, … and define them as sym1, sym2, … in the current scope.
import* (builtin): – Require and use modules.
(import* sym1 [sym2…])
Requires modules sym1, sym2, … and merges them into the current scope.
print (opdef): – Print string values.
(print str)
require (builtin): – Load a module.
(require name)
Load a module and return its scope.
trace (builtin): – Trace an expression's values at runtime.
(trace expr)
trace! (builtin): – Trace an expression's value at evaltime.
(trace! expr)
true (bool): – The boolean constant `true`.
use (builtin): – Merge scopes into current scope.
(use scope1 [scope2…])
Copy all symbol definitions from scope1, scope2, … to the current scope. All arguments have to be evaltime constant.

alive language reference

module index

builtins

`alive` language reference