SopLang

The First-Somali Programming Language

Soplang (Somali Programming Language) is an interpreted programming language that uniquely combines static and dynamic typing systems with syntax based on the Somali language. It is designed to lower the barrier to entry for Somali speakers learning to program while maintaining modern language features and paradigms.

Key Features

Soplang implements a range of key features that define its unique position among programming languages:

Feature	Description
Dual Type System	Combines static typing (`tiro`, `qoraal`, etc.) and dynamic typing (`door`) in one language
Somali-based Syntax	Programming concepts expressed in Somali (e.g., `qor` for print, `howl` for function)
Multiple Paradigms	Supports functional, procedural, and object-oriented programming
Type Safety	Enforces type checking at runtime
Cross-platform	Runs on `Windows`, `Linux`, and `macOS` with dedicated installers
Interactive Shell	REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) for quick experimentation or simply an `IDE/Playground`

System Architecture

Soplang's architecture follows a traditional interpreter pattern with specialized components for the Somali language integration.

The system features a layered architecture where:

Users interact through the command-line interface (CLI) or interactive shell
The core runtime processes Soplang code through lexing, parsing, and interpretation
A distribution system generates platform-specific installers

Language Processing Pipeline

Code execution in Soplang follows a three-stage pipeline common to many interpreted languages but specialized for Somali syntax.

Lexer : Transforms source code into tokens representing language elements (keywords, operators, etc.)
Parser : Builds an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) from the token stream
Interpreter : Executes the AST to produce program output or perform actions

Code Example

Below is a simple example of Soplang code that demonstrates the language's Somali syntax and dual type system:

// Hello World in Soplang
qor("Salaan, Adduunka!")  // Prints: Hello, World!
 
// Dynamic typing
door magac = "Sharafdin"  // Variable can change type later
door num = 10
num = "new value"         // Valid: type can change
 
// Static typing
qoraal name = "Sharafdin" // String only
tiro age = 25             // Number only
// age = "25"             // Would cause runtime error
 
// Control flow
haddii (age > 18) {
    qor("Waa qof weyn")   // Is an adult
} haddii_kalena {
    qor("Waa qof yar")    // Is a child
}
 
// Functions
qof = "Sharafdin"
howl salaam(qof) {
    soo_celi "Salaan, " + qof + "!"
}
qor(salaam(magac))        // Prints: Salaan, Sharafdin!