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Syntax

Arden syntax is inspired by C, C++, Rust, and TypeScript. It is designed to be familiar yet modern.

Comments

// Single-line comment

/*
 * Multi-line comment
 * (Nested comments are not currently supported)
 */

Blocks and Scoping

Arden uses curly braces {} to define blocks of code. Variables defined inside a block are scoped to that block.

function main(): None {
    // Outer scope
    x: Integer = 10;
    
    {
        // Inner scope
        y: Integer = 20;
        println("{x} {y}"); // Access outer and inner
    }
    
    // y is not accessible here
}

String interpolation embeds supported scalar expressions directly inside string literals:

println("{10} {true} {'🚀'} {None}");

Interpolation currently supports Integer, Float, Boolean, String, Char, and None.

Semicolons

Semicolons ; are required at the end of statements.

x: Integer = 5; // Required
return None;    // Required if you write an explicit return statement

Some constructs like if, while, function definitions do not require a semicolon after their closing brace.

Assignment

Basic assignment and compound assignment are supported:

x: Integer = 10;
x = x + 1;
x += 2;
x -= 1;
x *= 3;
x /= 2;
x %= 3;

Compound assignment also works with index and field targets:

arr[i] += 1;
obj.count -= 1;

Identifiers

Identifiers (variable names, function names) must start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, numbers, or underscores.

  • Valid: name, _id, value2, camelCase
  • Invalid: 2name, class (keyword)

Code Style

  • Functions/Variables: camelCase (recommended)
  • Types/Classes/Interfaces: PascalCase (enforced by convention)
  • Constants: SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE (convention)
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