The Dime programming language

The main function

Every Dime program begins with a main function that returns with the exit code.

            function main(): int {
        
                return 0
        
            }

Functions

You can create functions with the function keyword.

            function multiply(int a, int b): int {
        
                return a * b
        
            }

Note: You may omit the return statement. Doing so will be the same as returning the null value of the data type such as

,

false

or

'\x00'

.

Variables

To declare a variable use the var keyword:

var name: type = value

.
To redefine a variable use the equals operator:

name = value

.

You may 'shadow' variables.

            var a: int = 0
        
            {
        
                var a: int = 1
        
                printNumber(a) //prints 1
        
            }
        
            printNumber(a) //prints 0

Data types

Currently the following data types are implemented:

bool:
```
true
```
and
```
false
```
Integers:
- byte literal
```
'A'
```
- int literal
```
65
```
- float literal
```
65.0
```
pointer
- As a result of
```
allocate(byteCount)
```
- SimpleString literal
```
#"Hello world!"
```
  (UTF-8 encoded)
```
void
```
for functions with no return value

For strings and bytes you can also use escapes such as

\n

or

\x0A

.
'Real' strings will be implemented using linked lists.

Operators

Working with numbers:
```
+ - / *
```
Comparisons:
```
== != < > <= >=
```
Logical:
```
&& ||
```
Pointer operations
- Read:
```
ptr->byte
```
- Write:
```
ptr<-'A'
```
Redefine value:
```
something = 0
```
Increment/Decrement operators:
```
i++
```
```
i--
```
Cast:
```
'A'|>int
```

Conditions

The condition of an if block can be any expression that evaluates to a boolean value.

            if (condition) {
        
            } else if (otherCondition) {
        
            } else {
        
            }

Loops

While loop

            while (true) {
        
                //code
        
            }

For loop

            for (var i: int = 0; i < 10; i++) {
        
                //code
        
            }

Note: The head of a for loop is the only place where you have to use semicolons.

Standard library

readByte(bool echo): byte

writeByte(byte b): void

writeBytes(pointer ptr, int byteCount): void

print(int number): void

print(float number): void

print(double number): void

allocate(int byteCount): pointer

free(pointer ptr): void

getConsoleWidth(): int

getConsoleHeight(): int

randomInt(int min, int max): int

(min is inclusive and max is exclusive)

Documentation

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