M7 Script: A General-Purpose Programming Language
1. Introduction
M7 Script is a general-purpose interpreted programming language designed for structured data manipulation and inline scripting. It provides a balance between ease of use, flexibility, and performance, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including embedded scripting, data transformation, and automation.
2. Purpose & Goals
M7 Script was created to:
- Enable structured data processing (e.g., JSON-like structures).
- Provide a lightweight and portable scripting engine.
- Offer a syntax that is intuitive yet powerful, supporting structured programming principles.
- Be cross-platform and compatible with multiple environments.
3. Language Classification
M7 Script can be classified as follows:
- Type: High-level, interpreted.
- Paradigm: Primarily procedural, with support for functional constructs.
- Execution Model: Interpreted, with an optional AST-based optimizer.
- Domain: General-purpose but optimized for data transformation and embedded scripting.
4. Language Syntax & Features
4.1 Operators & Expressions
- Arithmetic, Logical, Bitwise, Assignment, Concatenation, Ternary.
4.2 Data Types & Literals
- Primitive (
int,float,bool,string,null). - Composite (
array,hash). - Literals & Numeric Formats (Decimal, Hexadecimal, Binary, Octal, Scientific Notation).
4.3 Control Structures
if,else,elsif,for,while,do while,until,try,catch,finally.
4.4 Functions
- Named & Anonymous Functions, Variadic Parameters, Type Annotations, Closures.
4.5 Scopes & Blocks
- Lexical Scoping, Block Closures, Variable Lifetimes.
4.6 String Handling & Formatting
- Single, Double, Backtick Strings, Interpolation, Escape Sequences, Concatenation.
4.7 Comments & Pragmas
- Single-line (
//) and Multi-line (/* ... */) Comments. - Pragmas & Directives (
#use strict,#define).
4.8 Keywords (Planned Section)
- A dedicated section for keywords will be added in the future.
5. Execution Model
M7 Script code executes through an interpreter, which processes code in multiple stages:
- Tokenization – Converts raw text into tokens.
- Parsing – Constructs a Concrete Syntax Tree (CST).
- Normalization – Cleans up and optimizes the structure.
- Semantic Analysis – Ensures correctness of data types and control flow.
- Execution – Interprets and runs the structured code.
6. Programming Paradigms
M7 Script supports:
- Procedural Programming – With functions, control structures, and loops.
- Functional Programming Constructs – Such as first-class functions and closures.
- Declarative Data Manipulation – Via hash and array processing.
7. Standard Library & APIs
M7 Script provides built-in functions for:
- String manipulation.
- Array and hash operations.
- File handling and I/O.
- Math operations.
8. Design Philosophy & Evolution
M7 Script was designed with:
- Minimalism in syntax – To reduce cognitive load.
- Performance optimizations – AST-based execution enhancements.
- Extensibility – Allowing future expansions with plugins.
9. Comparisons & Trade-offs
| Feature | M7 Script | Python | JavaScript |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution | Interpreted | Interpreted | JIT (V8) |
| Paradigm | Procedural, Functional | Multi-paradigm | Multi-paradigm |
| Data Handling | Arrays, Hashes | Lists, Dicts | Arrays, Objects |
| Embeddable | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Use Case | Data transformation, scripting | General-purpose | Web, Scripting |
10. Conclusion
M7 Script is a lightweight and efficient scripting language designed for structured data handling and embedded execution. With a simple yet powerful syntax, it provides an excellent balance between readability, flexibility, and performance.
This document will be updated as the language evolves and new features are introduced.