Lox is a versatile programming language inspired by other scripting languages, with a focus on readability and expressiveness. It supports features like first-class functions, closures, and dynamic typing, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
The initial implementation of Lox is done in Java, taking advantage of the platform's robust object-oriented features and extensive libraries. The Java implementation serves as a reference and a starting point for understanding the core concepts of the Lox language. Key Features:
- Interpreter: The Java implementation includes an interpreter for executing Lox code. This interpreter is designed to parse, evaluate, and execute Lox programs seamlessly.
- Object-Oriented Design: Leveraging Java's object-oriented paradigm, the codebase emphasizes modular design, making it easy to extend and maintain.
- Test Suite: A comprehensive set of test cases is included to ensure the correctness and reliability of the Java implementation. Continuous integration is set up to run these tests automatically.
Building on the foundation laid in Java, this repository aims to provide a second implementation of the Lox language in C. The transition to C introduces low-level memory management and adds another layer of understanding of language implementation. Key Goals:
- Performance: The C implementation focuses on optimizing the interpreter for improved performance, showcasing the efficiency gains possible with a lower-level language.
- Portability: By implementing Lox in C, we aim to create a version that can be easily ported to different platforms, showcasing the language's versatility.
- Learning Experience: The C implementation serves as an educational resource for understanding the intricacies of language design, compilation, and runtime systems.
