Bonzo is a [insert programming paradigm, e.g., lightweight, object-oriented] scripting language designed for [insert target use case, e.g., rapid prototyping, embedded systems, data manipulation]. It prioritizes readability and ease of use while offering powerful features for [insert key features, e.g., string manipulation, network communication, concurrent programming]. Bonzo compiles to [insert target platform/bytecode, e.g., efficient bytecode] making it suitable for a range of applications. It boasts a standard library providing convenient functions for common tasks, and its extensible nature allows developers to easily integrate with external libraries and systems.
Choose Bonzo when you need a language that:
To start developing with Bonzo, follow these steps:
bin directory to your PATH environment variable, run the installer].bonzo --version. This should print the installed Bonzo version number, confirming successful installation.Bonzo utilizes a [describe syntax style, e.g., C-like syntax] with a focus on readability.
Comments: Single-line comments begin with //, while multi-line comments are enclosed in /* */.
Variables: Variables are declared using the let keyword followed by the variable name and an optional type annotation (e.g., let x: int = 10;). Type inference is also supported.
Data Types: Bonzo supports common data types such as integers (int), floating-point numbers (float), booleans (bool), strings (string), and arrays (array).
Control Flow: Bonzo includes standard control flow structures like if, else if, else, for, while, and switch statements.
Functions: Functions are defined using the function keyword followed by the function name, parameters, and return type (e.g., function add(a: int, b: int) -> int { return a + b; }).
Example:
// A simple Bonzo program to add two numbers.
let x: int = 10;
let y: int = 5;
let sum: int = x + y;
print("The sum is: ", sum); //Output: The sum is: 15This example demonstrates basic variable declaration, assignment, arithmetic operation, and output using the print function. Further details on Bonzo’s features and syntax are provided in subsequent sections of this manual.
Bonzo supports a variety of built-in data types:
int: Represents integers (whole numbers). Examples: 10, -5, 0.float: Represents floating-point numbers (numbers with decimal points). Examples: 3.14, -2.5, 0.0.bool: Represents boolean values, either true or false.string: Represents sequences of characters. Examples: "Hello", "Bonzo", "" (empty string). Strings are immutable in Bonzo.array: Represents ordered collections of elements of the same type. Examples: [1, 2, 3], ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]. Arrays are dynamically sized.map: Represents key-value pairs, where keys are unique and values can be of any type. Examples: {"name": "John", "age": 30}, {"a": 1, "b": 2.5}.Variables are used to store data that can be changed during program execution. They are declared using the let keyword:
let x: int = 10; // Integer variable
let name: string = "Alice"; // String variable
let is_active: bool = true; // Boolean variableType annotations (e.g., : int) are optional; Bonzo’s type inference system will deduce the type if not explicitly specified.
Constants, whose values cannot be changed after initialization, are declared using the const keyword:
const PI: float = 3.14159;Bonzo supports various operators:
+, -, *, /, % (modulo).== (equals), != (not equals), >, <, >=, <=.&& (AND), || (OR), ! (NOT).=, +=, -=, *=, /=, %=.if statement: Executes a block of code only if a condition is true.if (x > 0) {
print("x is positive");
}if-else statement: Executes one block of code if a condition is true, and another if it’s false.if (x > 0) {
print("x is positive");
} else {
print("x is not positive");
}if-else if-else statement: Allows for multiple conditions to be checked sequentially.
switch statement: Provides a concise way to handle multiple possible values of an expression.
switch (day) {
case "Monday": print("It's Monday!"); break;
case "Tuesday": print("It's Tuesday!"); break;
default: print("It's another day.");
}for loop: Iterates over a sequence (like an array) or a range of numbers.for i in 0..10 { // Iterates from 0 to 9
print(i);
}
for item in ["apple", "banana"] {
print(item);
}while loop: Repeats a block of code as long as a condition is true.let i: int = 0;
while (i < 5) {
print(i);
i++;
}do-while loop: Similar to while, but the code block is executed at least once before the condition is checked.Functions are reusable blocks of code that perform specific tasks. They are defined using the function keyword:
function add(a: int, b: int) -> int {
return a + b;
}
let result: int = add(5, 3); // result will be 8Functions can take parameters and return values. The return type is specified after the closing parenthesis using ->.
Bonzo employs exceptions for handling runtime errors. The try-catch block is used to handle potential exceptions:
try {
// Code that might throw an exception
let result: int = 10 / 0; // Division by zero
} catch (e: DivisionByZeroError) {
print("Error: Division by zero!");
} catch (e: Error) { // Catch any other errors
print("An error occurred: ", e.message);
}The catch block specifies the type of exception to handle and provides a way to gracefully manage errors instead of causing program crashes. More specific exception types can be defined to handle different error scenarios.
Bonzo supports object-oriented programming (OOP) principles, allowing you to structure your code using classes and objects. This promotes code reusability, maintainability, and modularity.
Classes are blueprints for creating objects. They define the data (attributes) and behavior (methods) of objects. Objects are instances of classes.
class Dog {
let name: string;
let breed: string;
function constructor(name: string, breed: string) {
this.name = name;
this.breed = breed;
}
function bark() {
print(this.name, "says Woof!");
}
}
let myDog: Dog = Dog("Buddy", "Golden Retriever");
myDog.bark(); // Output: Buddy says Woof!This example defines a Dog class with attributes name and breed and a bark method. An instance of the Dog class is created and its bark method is called.
Inheritance allows creating new classes (derived classes) based on existing classes (base classes). Derived classes inherit attributes and methods from the base class and can add their own.
Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common type.
class Animal {
function makeSound() {
print("Generic animal sound");
}
}
class Cat extends Animal {
override function makeSound() {
print("Meow!");
}
}
let myCat: Cat = Cat();
myCat.makeSound(); // Output: Meow!Here, Cat inherits from Animal and overrides the makeSound method, demonstrating polymorphism.
Encapsulation hides the internal details of a class and exposes only necessary information through methods. Abstraction simplifies complex systems by presenting only essential features to the user. In Bonzo, this is achieved through access modifiers (e.g., private, protected, public) which control the visibility of class members (although the specifics of access modifiers might vary depending on implementation).
Modules organize code into reusable units. Namespaces help avoid naming conflicts by providing a way to group related identifiers. In Bonzo, modules are typically defined in separate files, and you can import them into your code using an import statement (the precise syntax may depend on the Bonzo implementation). For example:
// In myModule.bonzo
function myFunction() { ... }
// In main.bonzo
import myModule;
myModule.myFunction();Bonzo supports asynchronous programming, enabling concurrent execution of tasks without blocking the main thread.
Promises represent the eventual result of an asynchronous operation. The async/await keywords provide a more synchronous-looking style for writing asynchronous code, making it easier to read and reason about.
async function fetchData() {
let promise: Promise<string> = fetch("someURL"); // Example of a fetch call
let data: string = await promise;
return data;
}
fetchData().then(data => print(data));This example uses async/await to handle the result of an asynchronous fetch operation.
Bonzo typically provides mechanisms for interacting with external libraries written in other languages or using system calls. This may involve using a foreign function interface (FFI) or employing a build system to link against external libraries during the compilation process. Specific details on integrating external libraries will be provided in a separate section of the manual, detailing the build process, and potentially specific interface mechanisms depending on the external libraries’ characteristics (e.g., C, C++, etc.).
Bonzo provides a rich set of built-in methods for manipulating arrays. These methods operate directly on arrays, providing concise ways to perform common array operations. (Note: The specific names and functionalities may differ slightly based on the Bonzo implementation. This section presents common array methods expected in most implementations).
push(element): Adds an element to the end of the array.pop(): Removes and returns the last element of the array.unshift(element): Adds an element to the beginning of the array.shift(): Removes and returns the first element of the array.length: Returns the number of elements in the array.indexOf(element): Returns the index of the first occurrence of an element, or -1 if not found.lastIndexOf(element): Returns the index of the last occurrence of an element, or -1 if not found.slice(startIndex, endIndex): Returns a shallow copy of a portion of the array.splice(startIndex, deleteCount, ...items): Changes the contents of an array by removing or replacing existing elements and/or adding new elements.concat(...arrays): Returns a new array that is the concatenation of the original array and the provided arrays.join(separator): Joins all elements of an array into a string.forEach(callback): Executes a provided function once for each array element.map(callback): Creates a new array with the results of calling a provided function on every element in the array.filter(callback): Creates a new array with all elements that pass the test implemented by the provided function.reduce(callback, initialValue): Executes a reducer function (that you provide) on each element of the array, resulting in a single output value.sort(compareFunction): Sorts the elements of an array in place and returns the sorted array.Bonzo provides numerous functions for string manipulation:
length: Returns the length of the string.toUpperCase(): Converts the string to uppercase.toLowerCase(): Converts the string to lowercase.substring(startIndex, endIndex): Extracts a section of the string.trim(): Removes whitespace from both ends of the string.split(separator): Splits the string into an array of substrings based on a separator.replace(search, replacement): Replaces occurrences of a specified substring with another substring.indexOf(substring): Returns the index of the first occurrence of a substring, or -1 if not found.includes(substring): Returns true if the string contains the specified substring, false otherwise.startsWith(substring): Returns true if the string starts with the specified substring, false otherwise.endsWith(substring): Returns true if the string ends with the specified substring, false otherwise.Bonzo provides functions for working with dates and times:
now(): Returns the current date and time as a timestamp.Date(year, month, day, hours, minutes, seconds): Creates a new Date object.Date object (specific function names may vary, consult the Bonzo API documentation).Bonzo includes common mathematical functions:
abs(x): Returns the absolute value of x.sqrt(x): Returns the square root of x.pow(x, y): Returns x raised to the power of y.sin(x): Returns the sine of x (in radians).cos(x): Returns the cosine of x (in radians).tan(x): Returns the tangent of x (in radians).round(x): Rounds x to the nearest integer.floor(x): Rounds x down to the nearest integer.ceil(x): Rounds x up to the nearest integer.random(): Returns a random floating-point number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive).max(a, b): Returns the larger of a and b.min(a, b): Returns the smaller of a and b.Bonzo supports regular expressions for pattern matching in strings. The specific syntax for regular expressions in Bonzo might follow a standard like PCRE or another. The API might provide functions like:
match(regexp, string): Returns an array of matches if the regular expression matches the string.test(regexp, string): Returns true if the regular expression matches the string, false otherwise.replace(regexp, replacement): Replaces matches of a regular expression with a replacement string.Remember to consult the Bonzo API documentation for the precise names, parameters, and return types of these functions and their specific behavior within the Bonzo environment.
Bonzo offers several ways to read input from the user:
readLine(): This function reads a single line of text from the standard input (typically the console). It waits for the user to press Enter. The input is returned as a string.let name: string = readLine("Enter your name: ");
print("Hello, ", name, "!");readNumber(): This function reads a number from the standard input. It handles potential errors if the user enters non-numeric input (e.g., by throwing an exception or returning a special value indicating an error). It might require specification of the expected numeric type (e.g., int or float).try {
let age: int = readNumber("Enter your age: ");
print("You are ", age, " years old.");
} catch (e: InvalidInputError) {
print("Invalid input. Please enter a number.");
}
The specific error handling mechanism (exception, return value, etc.) might depend on the Bonzo implementation.
More sophisticated input methods might require using external libraries or operating system-specific functions for handling different input streams or formats.
The primary method for writing output to the console in Bonzo is the print() function. It takes one or more arguments, converts them to strings, and prints them to the console, usually separated by spaces. A newline character is added at the end of the output.
print("Hello, world!");
let x: int = 10;
let y: float = 3.14;
print("x = ", x, ", y = ", y);Some Bonzo implementations might offer additional functions for formatted output (similar to printf in C), providing more control over the appearance of the output.
Bonzo will typically provide functions for reading from and writing to files. The exact API might vary. The basic pattern usually involves opening a file, performing read or write operations, and then closing the file. For example:
// Write to a file
let file: File = openFile("output.txt", "w"); // "w" for writing
file.writeLine("This is some text.");
file.close();
// Read from a file
let file2: File = openFile("input.txt", "r"); // "r" for reading
while (let line: string = file2.readLine()) {
print(line);
}
file2.close();Error handling (e.g., checking if the file exists, handling file opening errors) is essential when working with files. Functions like exists(filename) and exception handling using try-catch blocks should be used. The exact functions and error handling methods would depend on the specific implementation of the File object or equivalent in Bonzo.
Bonzo might offer capabilities for network programming through built-in functions or libraries. This typically involves creating sockets, connecting to servers, sending and receiving data, and handling network errors. For example, a simplified example of client-side socket communication could look like this (the specific API may greatly differ):
let socket: Socket = createSocket("127.0.0.1", 8080); // connect to server
socket.send("Hello from client!");
let response: string = socket.receive();
print("Server responded: ", response);
socket.close();This is highly simplified. Real-world network programming generally involves more robust error handling, connection management (e.g., timeouts), data serialization/deserialization, and potentially handling different network protocols (TCP, UDP, etc.). The specifics of network programming in Bonzo would be detailed in a separate section of this manual, along with any required library imports and setup procedures.
This section lists some common errors encountered while developing Bonzo applications and suggests solutions:
Type Errors: These occur when a variable is used in a way that’s incompatible with its declared or inferred type. For instance, trying to add a string to a number without explicit type conversion. Carefully check variable types and use type casting when necessary.
Syntax Errors: These are caused by incorrect syntax in the Bonzo code. The compiler or interpreter will typically report the line number and type of the error. Correct the syntax according to the language specification.
Runtime Errors: These occur during program execution. Common runtime errors include division by zero, accessing an array element out of bounds, and attempting to access a null or undefined variable. Use error handling mechanisms (try-catch blocks) to gracefully handle potential exceptions.
Logic Errors: These are errors in the program’s logic, leading to incorrect results. They are harder to detect because they don’t cause immediate compiler or runtime errors. Thoroughly test the program and use debugging tools to trace the execution flow.
Import Errors: Problems with importing modules or libraries. Ensure the modules are correctly installed and the import paths are accurate.
Several techniques and tools can assist in debugging Bonzo applications:
print() statements: Strategically placed print() statements can help track the values of variables at different points in the program’s execution. This is a simple but effective debugging method.
Integrated Development Environments (IDEs): Many IDEs provide features like breakpoints, stepping through code, variable inspection, and call stack analysis, which significantly simplify debugging.
Debuggers: Bonzo might have a dedicated debugger that offers advanced debugging capabilities like watchpoints (monitoring specific variables), memory inspection, and more. Consult the Bonzo documentation for debugger usage instructions.
Logging: Implementing logging throughout your code allows you to record events and variable values at various stages. This helps identify the source of issues, especially in larger, more complex programs.
Code Reviews: Having another developer review your code can often uncover subtle errors and logic flaws that you may have missed.
Testing is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of Bonzo applications. Several testing methodologies can be employed:
Unit Testing: Test individual functions or modules in isolation to verify their correctness.
Integration Testing: Test the interaction between different modules or components of the system.
System Testing: Test the complete system as a whole to ensure it meets its requirements.
Regression Testing: After making changes to the code, rerun tests to ensure that existing functionality still works correctly. This helps prevent regressions (reintroducing old bugs).
Test-Driven Development (TDD): Write tests before writing the code. This approach ensures that the code is written to meet specific requirements.
Automated Testing: Use testing frameworks and tools to automate the test execution process. This saves time and ensures that tests are run consistently.
Employing a combination of these debugging and testing strategies will dramatically improve the quality and reliability of your Bonzo applications. Thorough testing is essential, especially as the complexity of your project increases.
Writing clean, readable, and maintainable code is crucial for long-term success in any software project. Here are some key principles to follow when writing Bonzo code:
Use Consistent Formatting: Adhere to a consistent style for indentation, spacing, and line breaks. This significantly improves readability. Many IDEs can automatically format your code according to a specific style guide.
Keep Functions Short and Focused: Functions should ideally perform a single, well-defined task. Long functions are difficult to understand and maintain. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable functions.
Use Meaningful Variable and Function Names: Choose descriptive names that clearly indicate the purpose of a variable or function. Avoid abbreviations unless they’re widely understood within the context.
Add Comments Strategically: Comments should clarify complex logic or non-obvious aspects of the code. Don’t over-comment; well-written code should largely be self-explanatory.
Modular Design: Organize your code into well-defined modules or classes. This improves code reusability, reduces complexity, and makes maintenance easier.
Follow the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) Principle: Avoid duplicating code. Create reusable functions or classes to avoid redundancy.
Consistent naming conventions are critical for code readability. Consider adopting the following guidelines:
Variables and Functions: Use camelCase for variable and function names (e.g., userName, calculateTotal).
Constants: Use UPPER_SNAKE_CASE for constants (e.g., MAX_VALUE, PI).
Classes: Use PascalCase for class names (e.g., ShoppingCart, UserInterface).
Modules/Namespaces: Use snake_case or PascalCase (depending on the Bonzo implementation’s preference) for module names (e.g., user_input, Utilities).
Maintain consistency throughout your project.
Well-written comments are essential for explaining the “why” behind your code. They should clarify complex logic, highlight non-obvious design decisions, and provide context for maintainers. Consider the following:
Function Documentation: Clearly document the purpose, parameters, return values, and potential exceptions of each function. Use a consistent format (e.g., Javadoc-style) for function documentation.
Class Documentation: Provide a high-level overview of the class’s purpose, responsibilities, and usage.
Block Comments: Use block comments to explain complex sections of code.
Inline Comments (Sparingly): Use inline comments only when absolutely necessary to clarify a small, specific piece of code. Overusing inline comments can clutter the code and reduce readability.
Remember to keep your comments up-to-date as the code evolves.
Optimizing Bonzo code for performance involves several techniques:
Algorithm Selection: Choose efficient algorithms and data structures. The performance of your program significantly depends on the underlying algorithms you use.
Data Structure Choice: Select the appropriate data structures for the task. For example, using a hash table for fast lookups is more efficient than linear searching in an array in many cases.
Avoid Unnecessary Computations: Don’t perform calculations repeatedly if the result can be cached or reused.
Memory Management: Manage memory efficiently. Avoid memory leaks by properly releasing resources when they’re no longer needed.
Profiling: Use profiling tools to identify performance bottlenecks in your code. This helps pinpoint areas that require optimization efforts.
Premature Optimization: Avoid optimizing prematurely. Focus on writing clean, correct code first, then optimize only if necessary, and only after profiling reveals performance bottlenecks. Optimization can often introduce complexity and reduce readability.
Following these best practices and style guidelines will make your Bonzo code easier to read, understand, maintain, and optimize for performance. Remember that clean, well-structured code is the foundation of any successful software project.
Bonzo: The name of the programming language this manual describes.
Interpreter: A program that executes Bonzo code directly, line by line, without prior compilation.
Compiler: A program that translates Bonzo source code into an intermediate representation (e.g., bytecode) or directly into machine code, which is then executed.
Variable: A named storage location that holds a value.
Constant: A named storage location that holds a value which cannot be changed after initialization.
Data Type: A classification that specifies the kind of values a variable can hold (e.g., integer, floating-point number, string, boolean).
Function: A block of reusable code that performs a specific task.
Module: A file containing Bonzo code that can be imported into other files.
Class: A blueprint for creating objects.
Object: An instance of a class.
Method: A function that is associated with an object.
Exception: An event that occurs during program execution that disrupts the normal flow of instructions.
Error Handling: Mechanisms (like try-catch blocks) for handling exceptions gracefully.
Namespace: A mechanism to prevent naming collisions between identifiers.
Asynchronous Programming: A programming paradigm that allows concurrent execution of tasks without blocking the main thread.
Promise: An object representing the eventual result of an asynchronous operation.
Async/Await: Keywords used for writing asynchronous code in a more synchronous style.
Regular Expression: A sequence of characters that define a search pattern.
API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and specifications that software programs can follow to communicate with each other.
Official Bonzo Website: [Insert link to official website] – This website provides the latest news, downloads, and documentation.
Bonzo Language Specification: [Insert link to language specification] – A formal description of the Bonzo language syntax and semantics.
Bonzo Standard Library Documentation: [Insert link to standard library docs] – Detailed information about the functions and classes available in the Bonzo standard library.
Bonzo Community Forum: [Insert link to forum] – A place to ask questions, share knowledge, and discuss Bonzo with other developers.
Example Projects: [Insert link to example repositories] – Browse example projects to learn how to use Bonzo effectively.
Bonzo is licensed under the [Insert License Name, e.g., MIT License]. See the accompanying LICENSE file for the full license text. The full text of the license is available at [Insert Link to License Text]. By using Bonzo, you agree to the terms and conditions of this license.