Quantum C (C4)
The 4th Evolution of C
Check the web-demo out at learnhardcode.dpdns.org/QuantumC/qc.html. Or go to the docs right here.
More Powerful Than Explosives(tm)
C4 combines the performance of C++, the ergonomics of C#, and the safety of Rust--without the 20 #include statements.
Features
- Modern Syntax - Clean, intuitive, no boilerplate (other than main(obviously))
- Functions & Lambdas - First-class functions with
fnsyntax for lambdas andtype name(args-type args-name)syntax for normal functions - Multi-Return Values - Return multiple values without structs
- Type Safety - Strong typing with
autoinference - Quantum Booleans - Superposition of true/false
- F-Strings - Python-style string interpolation
- Special class methods - Default initlization, representation, and evaluation methods along with operator overloads
Video
Go to the docs
Quick Start
Just install the binaries from the github OR
Installation
After installing, or clone the repo directly then do
chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh
# type_your_sudo_password (it moves the binary into /usr/local/bin/ and also moves the stdli9b into /usr/local/QC/, along with the demo script)
# Now, you can type
qc [flags] (filepath)
# to run a file
# or
qc [flags]
# to enter the REPL
Language Guide
See syntax.qc for a comprehensive interactive demo of all features!
Development Status
strikthrough = done Current Version: v12.0.0 = "MMM"
Feature Roadmap
| Category | Feature | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Core Logic | Variables & Types (int, float, double, string, char, bool) |
Done |
Constants (const) & auto Inference |
Done | |
| Long and Short types | Done | |
| Operators | Standard Math & Expressions (includes ** power operator) |
Done |
Control Flow (if/else, switch, while, for, foreach) |
Done | |
| Functions | Functions with Default Parameters | Done |
| Lambdas & Higher-Order Functions | Done | |
| Native Multi-Return Values | Done | |
| Data Structures | Arrays & Lists (with .length member) |
Done |
Spread Syntax for Arrays (@) |
Done | |
| Maps & Enums | Done | |
| Quantum | Quantum Booleans (Superposition!) | Done |
Quantum Logical Operators (&&&, ` |
||
| Advanced | Structs, Classes, & Namespaces | Done |
| Union Types (TypeScript-style) | Done | |
| Advanced OOP & Operator Overloading | Done | |
| Manual Memory Management | Done | |
| System | F-Strings (Python-style interpolation) | Done |
| Random Number Generation | Done | |
| Stdlib Part 1 & 2 | Done | |
| Future | Stdlib Part 3 | Coming Soon |
Contributing
Found a bug? Have a feature request? Open an Issue!!
Want to contribute? PRs welcome!
License
MIT License - See LICENSE for details
(Semi) FAQ
Q: Why "Quantum C"?
A:
Because it's the 4th evolution of C:
C - The original C++ - Object-oriented and sharpend to a point (also added tons more features) C# - Managed & modern (also by microsoft) C4 - All of the above, none of the pain Also, C4 is a powerful explosive. This language is more powerful than explosives.
Now Turing complete!
Q: Why is your cat GPU-sized?
A: Wrong FAQ. Also IDK
Quantum Features
Quantum C is the world's second quantum programming language (at least, that more than like 2 people would ever say the name of(now that statement is true)), but the first that doesn't require a $10M quantum computer!
Quantum Booleans
qif (qb) {
println("True path"); // Executes!
} qelse {
println("False path"); // ALSO executes!
}
Quantum Logic Operators
&&& - Quantum AND
||| - Quantum OR
!! - Quantum NOT
^^ - Quantum XOR
=== - Quantum EQUAL
!== - Quantum NOT EQUAL
|&| - Collapse OR (convert to bool)
&|& - Collapse AND (convert to bool)
Why Quantum C?
| Feature | C++ | C# | Rust | Quantum C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Runtime | Slow | Fast | Slow | (Near)Instant |
| Syntax | Complex | Clean | Verbose | Minimal |
| Memory safety | Manual | GC | Borrow checker | C style! |
| Quantum booleans | No | No | No | 4 states! |
| Multi-return | Structs | Tuples | Tuples | Native |
| Requires quantum computer | No (What?) | Huh? | WDYM | NO!(Unlike Q#!) (we get it microsoft, you wanted to be able to program your chip that sounds like a drug) |
Multi Return
return 200, "Success";
}
int main() {
int code, string alias = GetStatus();
std::qout << f"Code: {code}, AKA: {alias}" << '\n';
return 0;
}
Manual Memory Managment
int* ptr = malloc(sizeof("int"));
*ptr = 42;
println(*ptr);
free(ptr);
}
Type collections and aliases
Define variables that can hold multiple types using a simple | syntax. The parser automatically distinguishes these from standard aliases:
// A Union Type (TypeScript-style)
type IdT = int | string;
IdT id = 101;
id = "A101"; // Perfectly valid
// A Standard Alias
type UserID = int;
UserID myId = 5;
}
Known limitations:
- You cannot use + style string concat on class instances if you arn't entending the + to call the operator+ method because it won't call repr, instead it will try and call operator+ on the class with a string argument. This limitation doesn't exist on fstrings though. Made by Me