Prequel: primitive recursion driven; general recursion powered.
Assignment, two control structures, and two datatypes. As simple as possible, but not simpler. Prequel is easy to follow.
n = factorial.input
result = 1
repeat n
result *= n+1
endrep
factorial.return(result)
The interpreter runs on JavaScript for a mobile-first approach.
Have a look at this Prequel primer and then get started with a range of examples that help illustrate the key features of Prequel.
The traditional "Hello, World!" program written in Prequel would be:
hello_world.print()
We start instead with another classic first program example: try the Factorial example here.
Let us know if you find interesting variations on calculating the factorial function in Prequel :)
Animate a line of 8 pixels; create visual effects with the available procedures.
Sort a list in ascending order, given a custom procedure to move an element (listsort.move).
On a worst-case scenario, how many instructions does it take to sort a list of length ten? How about memory footprint? Edit the code. How does your program fare compared to the default provided?
Try the Listsort example here.
Prequel imposes a programming discipline that prohibits recursive calls and unbounded loops. The runtime system derives its Turing completeness from re-entering a module whenever the execution slips past its last instruction.
This scholastic example shows a Prequel implementation of the Ackermann-Péter function. The Ackermann function is one of the earliest-discovered total computable functions that is not primitive recursive.
Try the Ackermann example here.
Here are more advanced Prequel examples.
Figure out the relation between the input and the expected result in this inductive programming game.
Write and test your hypothesis using this Prequel programming laboratory.
Develop your own Prequel bot to control a team of amoebas.
Use the built-in debugger to test your code.
Try this programming game here.
This is a puzzle where the goal is to escape from a labirinth.
Get out of the labirinth here.
The century-old game Battleship can be used to practise Prequel skills.
Try the Battleship mechanics here.
Rotate and swap tiles (or develop your own heuristics in Prequel) to find a better solution to this 34-digit search space puzzle, and enter the ConnXxis Hall of Fame.
Try this hexagonal tiles puzzle here.
When all you need is a Prequel executable, use this tool to reduce a Prequel program to its essence.
If you already know other imperative programming languages, this Prequel primer should be enough to get you started.
Here are the slides from a talk on Prequel, providing some context and the theoretical underpinnings of this programming language.
Here you can find a Backus-Naur form formally describing the syntax of a Prequel program.
The parser and interpreter for Prequel is available on GitHub.
Prequel stands for Primitive RECursive driven programming Language.
Prequel was created in 2017 by Hugo Simoes to provide his kids with the tools he wished to have had when starting to program.
Contact us at prequel@prequel-lang.org.
(Except if you claim to be some kind of prince with a fortune to offer.)
No spam please.
Happy Prequel programming!