---
title: Reference
---
# YueScript Documentation
Welcome to the YueScript official documentation!
Here you can find the language features, usage, reference examples and resources.
Please select a chapter from the sidebar to start learning about YueScript.
# Do
When used as a statement, do works just like it does in Lua.
```yuescript
do
var = "hello"
print var
print var -- nil here
```
```yue
do
var = "hello"
print var
print var -- nil here
```
YueScript's **do** can also be used an expression . Allowing you to combine multiple lines into one. The result of the do expression is the last statement in its body.
`do` expressions also support using `break` to interrupt control flow and return multiple values early:
```yuescript
status, value = do
n = 12
if n > 10
break "large", n
break "small", n
```
```yue
status, value = do
n = 12
if n > 10
break "large", n
break "small", n
```
```yuescript
counter = do
i = 0
->
i += 1
i
print counter!
print counter!
```
```yue
counter = do
i = 0
->
i += 1
i
print counter!
print counter!
```
```yuescript
tbl = {
key: do
print "assigning key!"
1234
}
```
```yue
tbl = {
key: do
print "assigning key!"
1234
}
```
# Line Decorators
For convenience, the for loop and if statement can be applied to single statements at the end of the line:
```yuescript
print "hello world" if name == "Rob"
```
```yue
print "hello world" if name == "Rob"
```
And with basic loops:
```yuescript
print "item: ", item for item in *items
```
```yue
print "item: ", item for item in *items
```
And with while loops:
```yuescript
game\update! while game\isRunning!
reader\parse_line! until reader\eof!
```
```yue
game\update! while game\isRunning!
reader\parse_line! until reader\eof!
```
# Macro
## Common Usage
Macro function is used for evaluating a string in the compile time and insert the generated codes into final compilation.
```yuescript
macro PI2 = -> math.pi * 2
area = $PI2 * 5
macro HELLO = -> "'hello world'"
print $HELLO
macro config = (debugging) ->
global debugMode = debugging == "true"
""
macro asserts = (cond) ->
debugMode and "assert #{cond}" or ""
macro assert = (cond) ->
debugMode and "assert #{cond}" or "#{cond}"
$config true
$asserts item ~= nil
$config false
value = $assert item
-- the passed expressions are treated as strings
macro and = (...) -> "#{ table.concat {...}, ' and ' }"
if $and f1!, f2!, f3!
print "OK"
```
```yue
macro PI2 = -> math.pi * 2
area = $PI2 * 5
macro HELLO = -> "'hello world'"
print $HELLO
macro config = (debugging) ->
global debugMode = debugging == "true"
""
macro asserts = (cond) ->
debugMode and "assert #{cond}" or ""
macro assert = (cond) ->
debugMode and "assert #{cond}" or "#{cond}"
$config true
$asserts item ~= nil
$config false
value = $assert item
-- the passed expressions are treated as strings
macro and = (...) -> "#{ table.concat {...}, ' and ' }"
if $and f1!, f2!, f3!
print "OK"
```
## Insert Raw Codes
A macro function can either return a YueScript string or a config table containing Lua codes.
```yuescript
macro yueFunc = (var) -> "local #{var} = ->"
$yueFunc funcA
funcA = -> "fail to assign to the Yue macro defined variable"
macro luaFunc = (var) -> {
code: "local function #{var}() end"
type: "lua"
}
$luaFunc funcB
funcB = -> "fail to assign to the Lua macro defined variable"
macro lua = (code) -> {
:code
type: "lua"
}
-- the raw string leading and ending symbols are auto trimed
$lua[==[
-- raw Lua codes insertion
if cond then
print("output")
end
]==]
```
```yue
macro yueFunc = (var) -> "local #{var} = ->"
$yueFunc funcA
funcA = -> "fail to assign to the Yue macro defined variable"
macro luaFunc = (var) -> {
code: "local function #{var}() end"
type: "lua"
}
$luaFunc funcB
funcB = -> "fail to assign to the Lua macro defined variable"
macro lua = (code) -> {
:code
type: "lua"
}
-- the raw string leading and ending symbols are auto trimed
$lua[==[
-- raw Lua codes insertion
if cond then
print("output")
end
]==]
```
## Export Macro
Macro functions can be exported from a module and get imported in another module. You have to put export macro functions in a single file to be used, and only macro definition, macro importing and macro expansion in place can be put into the macro exporting module.
```yuescript
-- file: utils.yue
export macro map = (items, action) -> "[#{action} for _ in *#{items}]"
export macro filter = (items, action) -> "[_ for _ in *#{items} when #{action}]"
export macro foreach = (items, action) -> "for _ in *#{items}
#{action}"
-- file main.yue
import "utils" as {
$, -- symbol to import all macros
$foreach: $each -- rename macro $foreach to $each
}
[1, 2, 3] |> $map(_ * 2) |> $filter(_ > 4) |> $each print _
```
```yue
-- file: utils.yue
export macro map = (items, action) -> "[#{action} for _ in *#{items}]"
export macro filter = (items, action) -> "[_ for _ in *#{items} when #{action}]"
export macro foreach = (items, action) -> "for _ in *#{items}
#{action}"
-- file main.yue
-- import function is not available in browser, try it in a real environment
--[[
import "utils" as {
$, -- symbol to import all macros
$foreach: $each -- rename macro $foreach to $each
}
[1, 2, 3] |> $map(_ * 2) |> $filter(_ > 4) |> $each print _
]]
```
## Builtin Macro
There are some builtin macros but you can override them by declaring macros with the same names.
```yuescript
print $FILE -- get string of current module name
print $LINE -- get number 2
```
```yue
print $FILE -- get string of current module name
print $LINE -- get number 2
```
## Generating Macros with Macros
In YueScript, macro functions allow you to generate code at compile time. By nesting macro functions, you can create more complex generation patterns. This feature enables you to define a macro function that generates another macro function, allowing for more dynamic code generation.
```yuescript
macro Enum = (...) ->
items = {...}
itemSet = {item, true for item in *items}
(item) ->
error "got \"#{item}\", expecting one of #{table.concat items, ', '}" unless itemSet[item]
"\"#{item}\""
macro BodyType = $Enum(
Static
Dynamic
Kinematic
)
print "Valid enum type:", $BodyType Static
-- print "Compilation error with enum type:", $BodyType Unknown
```
```yue
macro Enum = (...) ->
items = {...}
itemSet = {item, true for item in *items}
(item) ->
error "got \"#{item}\", expecting one of #{table.concat items, ', '}" unless itemSet[item]
"\"#{item}\""
macro BodyType = $Enum(
Static
Dynamic
Kinematic
)
print "Valid enum type:", $BodyType Static
-- print "Compilation error with enum type:", $BodyType Unknown
```
## Argument Validation
You can declare the expected AST node types in the argument list, and check whether the incoming macro arguments meet the expectations at compile time.
```yuescript
macro printNumAndStr = (num `Num, str `String) -> |
print(
#{num}
#{str}
)
$printNumAndStr 123, "hello"
```
```yue
macro printNumAndStr = (num `Num, str `String) -> |
print(
#{num}
#{str}
)
$printNumAndStr 123, "hello"
```
If you need more flexible argument checking, you can use the built-in `$is_ast` macro function to manually check at the appropriate place.
```yuescript
macro printNumAndStr = (num, str) ->
error "expected Num as first argument" unless $is_ast Num, num
error "expected String as second argument" unless $is_ast String, str
"print(#{num}, #{str})"
$printNumAndStr 123, "hello"
```
```yue
macro printNumAndStr = (num, str) ->
error "expected Num as first argument" unless $is_ast Num, num
error "expected String as second argument" unless $is_ast String, str
"print(#{num}, #{str})"
$printNumAndStr 123, "hello"
```
For more details about available AST nodes, please refer to the uppercased definitions in [yue_parser.cpp](https://github.com/IppClub/YueScript/blob/main/src/yuescript/yue_parser.cpp).
# Try
The syntax for Lua error handling in a common form.
```yuescript
try
func 1, 2, 3
catch err
print yue.traceback err
success, result = try
func 1, 2, 3
catch err
yue.traceback err
try func 1, 2, 3
catch err
print yue.traceback err
success, result = try func 1, 2, 3
try
print "trying"
func 1, 2, 3
-- working with if assignment pattern
if success, result := try func 1, 2, 3
catch err
print yue.traceback err
print result
```
```yue
try
func 1, 2, 3
catch err
print yue.traceback err
success, result = try
func 1, 2, 3
catch err
yue.traceback err
try func 1, 2, 3
catch err
print yue.traceback err
success, result = try func 1, 2, 3
try
print "trying"
func 1, 2, 3
-- working with if assignment pattern
if success, result := try func 1, 2, 3
catch err
print yue.traceback err
print result
```
## Try?
`try?` is a simplified use for error handling syntax that omit the boolean status from the `try` statement, and it will return the result from the try block when success, return nil instead of error object otherwise.
```yuescript
a, b, c = try? func!
-- with nil coalescing operator
a = (try? func!) ?? "default"
-- as function argument
f try? func!
-- with catch block
f try?
print 123
func!
catch e
print e
e
```
```yue
a, b, c = try? func!
-- with nil coalescing operator
a = (try? func!) ?? "default"
-- as function argument
f try? func!
-- with catch block
f try?
print 123
func!
catch e
print e
e
```
# Table Literals
Like in Lua, tables are delimited in curly braces.
```yuescript
some_values = [1, 2, 3, 4]
```
```yue
some_values = [1, 2, 3, 4]
```
Unlike Lua, assigning a value to a key in a table is done with **:** (instead of **=**).
```yuescript
some_values = {
name: "Bill",
age: 200,
["favorite food"]: "rice"
}
```
```yue
some_values = {
name: "Bill",
age: 200,
["favorite food"]: "rice"
}
```
The curly braces can be left off if a single table of key value pairs is being assigned.
```yuescript
profile =
height: "4 feet",
shoe_size: 13,
favorite_foods: ["ice cream", "donuts"]
```
```yue
profile =
height: "4 feet",
shoe_size: 13,
favorite_foods: ["ice cream", "donuts"]
```
Newlines can be used to delimit values instead of a comma (or both):
```yuescript
values = {
1, 2, 3, 4
5, 6, 7, 8
name: "superman"
occupation: "crime fighting"
}
```
```yue
values = {
1, 2, 3, 4
5, 6, 7, 8
name: "superman"
occupation: "crime fighting"
}
```
When creating a single line table literal, the curly braces can also be left off:
```yuescript
my_function dance: "Tango", partner: "none"
y = type: "dog", legs: 4, tails: 1
```
```yue
my_function dance: "Tango", partner: "none"
y = type: "dog", legs: 4, tails: 1
```
The keys of a table literal can be language keywords without being escaped:
```yuescript
tbl = {
do: "something"
end: "hunger"
}
```
```yue
tbl = {
do: "something"
end: "hunger"
}
```
If you are constructing a table out of variables and wish the keys to be the same as the variable names, then the **:** prefix operator can be used:
```yuescript
hair = "golden"
height = 200
person = { :hair, :height, shoe_size: 40 }
print_table :hair, :height
```
```yue
hair = "golden"
height = 200
person = { :hair, :height, shoe_size: 40 }
print_table :hair, :height
```
If you want the key of a field in the table to to be result of an expression, then you can wrap it in **[ ]**, just like in Lua. You can also use a string literal directly as a key, leaving out the square brackets. This is useful if your key has any special characters.
```yuescript
t = {
[1 + 2]: "hello"
"hello world": true
}
```
```yue
t = {
[1 + 2]: "hello"
"hello world": true
}
```
Lua tables have both an array part and a hash part, but sometimes you want to make a semantic distinction between array and hash usage when writing Lua tables. Then you can write Lua table with **[ ]** instead of **{ }** to represent an array table and writing any key value pair in a list table won't be allowed.
```yuescript
some_values = [1, 2, 3, 4]
list_with_one_element = [1, ]
```
```yue
some_values = [1, 2, 3, 4]
list_with_one_element = [1, ]
```
# Comprehensions
Comprehensions provide a convenient syntax for constructing a new table by iterating over some existing object and applying an expression to its values. There are two kinds of comprehensions: list comprehensions and table comprehensions. They both produce Lua tables; list comprehensions accumulate values into an array-like table, and table comprehensions let you set both the key and the value on each iteration.
## List Comprehensions
The following creates a copy of the items table but with all the values doubled.
```yuescript
items = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ]
doubled = [item * 2 for i, item in ipairs items]
```
```yue
items = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ]
doubled = [item * 2 for i, item in ipairs items]
```
The items included in the new table can be restricted with a when clause:
```yuescript
slice = [item for i, item in ipairs items when i > 1 and i < 3]
```
```yue
slice = [item for i, item in ipairs items when i > 1 and i < 3]
```
Because it is common to iterate over the values of a numerically indexed table, an **\*** operator is introduced. The doubled example can be rewritten as:
```yuescript
doubled = [item * 2 for item in *items]
```
```yue
doubled = [item * 2 for item in *items]
```
In list comprehensions, you can also use the spread operator `...` to flatten nested lists, achieving a flat map effect:
```yuescript
data =
a: [1, 2, 3]
b: [4, 5, 6]
flat = [...v for k,v in pairs data]
-- flat is now [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
```
```yue
data =
a: [1, 2, 3]
b: [4, 5, 6]
flat = [...v for k,v in pairs data]
-- flat is now [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
```
The for and when clauses can be chained as much as desired. The only requirement is that a comprehension has at least one for clause.
Using multiple for clauses is the same as using nested loops:
```yuescript
x_coords = [4, 5, 6, 7]
y_coords = [9, 2, 3]
points = [ [x, y] for x in *x_coords \
for y in *y_coords]
```
```yue
x_coords = [4, 5, 6, 7]
y_coords = [9, 2, 3]
points = [ [x, y] for x in *x_coords \
for y in *y_coords]
```
Numeric for loops can also be used in comprehensions:
```yuescript
evens = [i for i = 1, 100 when i % 2 == 0]
```
```yue
evens = [i for i = 1, 100 when i % 2 == 0]
```
## Table Comprehensions
The syntax for table comprehensions is very similar, only differing by using **{** and **}** and taking two values from each iteration.
This example makes a copy of the tablething:
```yuescript
thing = {
color: "red"
name: "fast"
width: 123
}
thing_copy = {k, v for k, v in pairs thing}
```
```yue
thing = {
color: "red"
name: "fast"
width: 123
}
thing_copy = {k, v for k, v in pairs thing}
```
```yuescript
no_color = {k, v for k, v in pairs thing when k != "color"}
```
```yue
no_color = {k, v for k, v in pairs thing when k != "color"}
```
The **\*** operator is also supported. Here we create a square root look up table for a few numbers.
```yuescript
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
sqrts = {i, math.sqrt i for i in *numbers}
```
```yue
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
sqrts = {i, math.sqrt i for i in *numbers}
```
The key-value tuple in a table comprehension can also come from a single expression, in which case the expression should return two values. The first is used as the key and the second is used as the value:
In this example we convert an array of pairs to a table where the first item in the pair is the key and the second is the value.
```yuescript
tuples = [ ["hello", "world"], ["foo", "bar"]]
tbl = {unpack tuple for tuple in *tuples}
```
```yue
tuples = [ ["hello", "world"], ["foo", "bar"]]
tbl = {unpack tuple for tuple in *tuples}
```
## Slicing
A special syntax is provided to restrict the items that are iterated over when using the **\*** operator. This is equivalent to setting the iteration bounds and a step size in a for loop.
Here we can set the minimum and maximum bounds, taking all items with indexes between 1 and 5 inclusive:
```yuescript
slice = [item for item in *items[1, 5]]
```
```yue
slice = [item for item in *items[1, 5]]
```
Any of the slice arguments can be left off to use a sensible default. In this example, if the max index is left off it defaults to the length of the table. This will take everything but the first element:
```yuescript
slice = [item for item in *items[2,]]
```
```yue
slice = [item for item in *items[2,]]
```
If the minimum bound is left out, it defaults to 1. Here we only provide a step size and leave the other bounds blank. This takes all odd indexed items: (1, 3, 5, …)
```yuescript
slice = [item for item in *items[,,2]]
```
```yue
slice = [item for item in *items[,,2]]
```
Both the minimum and maximum bounds can be negative, which means that the bounds are counted from the end of the table.
```yuescript
-- take the last 4 items
slice = [item for item in *items[-4,-1]]
```
```yue
-- take the last 4 items
slice = [item for item in *items[-4,-1]]
```
The step size can also be negative, which means that the items are taken in reverse order.
```yuescript
reverse_slice = [item for item in *items[-1,1,-1]]
```
```yue
reverse_slice = [item for item in *items[-1,1,-1]]
```
### Slicing Expression
Slicing can also be used as an expression. This is useful for getting a sub-list of a table.
```yuescript
-- take the 2nd and 4th items as a new list
sub_list = items[2, 4]
-- take the last 4 items
last_four_items = items[-4, -1]
```
```yue
-- take the 2nd and 4th items as a new list
sub_list = items[2, 4]
-- take the last 4 items
last_four_items = items[-4, -1]
```
# Object Oriented Programming
In these examples, the generated Lua code may appear overwhelming. It is best to focus on the meaning of the YueScript code at first, then look into the Lua code if you wish to know the implementation details.
A simple class:
```yuescript
class Inventory
new: =>
@items = {}
add_item: (name) =>
if @items[name]
@items[name] += 1
else
@items[name] = 1
```
```yue
class Inventory
new: =>
@items = {}
add_item: (name) =>
if @items[name]
@items[name] += 1
else
@items[name] = 1
```
A class is declared with a class statement followed by a table-like declaration where all of the methods and properties are listed.
The new property is special in that it will become the constructor.
Notice how all the methods in the class use the fat arrow function syntax. When calling methods on a instance, the instance itself is sent in as the first argument. The fat arrow handles the creation of a self argument.
The @ prefix on a variable name is shorthand for self.. @items becomes self.items.
Creating an instance of the class is done by calling the name of the class as a function.
```yuescript
inv = Inventory!
inv\add_item "t-shirt"
inv\add_item "pants"
```
```yue
inv = Inventory!
inv\add_item "t-shirt"
inv\add_item "pants"
```
Because the instance of the class needs to be sent to the methods when they are called, the \ operator is used.
All properties of a class are shared among the instances. This is fine for functions, but for other types of objects, undesired results may occur.
Consider the example below, the clothes property is shared amongst all instances, so modifications to it in one instance will show up in another:
```yuescript
class Person
clothes: []
give_item: (name) =>
table.insert @clothes, name
a = Person!
b = Person!
a\give_item "pants"
b\give_item "shirt"
-- will print both pants and shirt
print item for item in *a.clothes
```
```yue
class Person
clothes: []
give_item: (name) =>
table.insert @clothes, name
a = Person!
b = Person!
a\give_item "pants"
b\give_item "shirt"
-- will print both pants and shirt
print item for item in *a.clothes
```
The proper way to avoid this problem is to create the mutable state of the object in the constructor:
```yuescript
class Person
new: =>
@clothes = []
```
```yue
class Person
new: =>
@clothes = []
```
## Inheritance
The extends keyword can be used in a class declaration to inherit the properties and methods from another class.
```yuescript
class BackPack extends Inventory
size: 10
add_item: (name) =>
if #@items > size then error "backpack is full"
super name
```
```yue
class BackPack extends Inventory
size: 10
add_item: (name) =>
if #@items > size then error "backpack is full"
super name
```
Here we extend our Inventory class, and limit the amount of items it can carry.
In this example, we don't define a constructor on the subclass, so the parent class' constructor is called when we make a new instance. If we did define a constructor then we can use the super method to call the parent constructor.
Whenever a class inherits from another, it sends a message to the parent class by calling the method \_\_inherited on the parent class if it exists. The function receives two arguments, the class that is being inherited and the child class.
```yuescript
class Shelf
@__inherited: (child) =>
print @__name, "was inherited by", child.__name
-- will print: Shelf was inherited by Cupboard
class Cupboard extends Shelf
```
```yue
class Shelf
@__inherited: (child) =>
print @__name, "was inherited by", child.__name
-- will print: Shelf was inherited by Cupboard
class Cupboard extends Shelf
```
## Super
**super** is a special keyword that can be used in two different ways: It can be treated as an object, or it can be called like a function. It only has special functionality when inside a class.
When called as a function, it will call the function of the same name in the parent class. The current self will automatically be passed as the first argument. (As seen in the inheritance example above)
When super is used as a normal value, it is a reference to the parent class object.
It can be accessed like any of object in order to retrieve values in the parent class that might have been shadowed by the child class.
When the \ calling operator is used with super, self is inserted as the first argument instead of the value of super itself. When using . to retrieve a function, the raw function is returned.
A few examples of using super in different ways:
```yuescript
class MyClass extends ParentClass
a_method: =>
-- the following have the same effect:
super "hello", "world"
super\a_method "hello", "world"
super.a_method self, "hello", "world"
-- super as a value is equal to the parent class:
assert super == ParentClass
```
```yue
class MyClass extends ParentClass
a_method: =>
-- the following have the same effect:
super "hello", "world"
super\a_method "hello", "world"
super.a_method self, "hello", "world"
-- super as a value is equal to the parent class:
assert super == ParentClass
```
**super** can also be used on left side of a Function Stub. The only major difference is that instead of the resulting function being bound to the value of super, it is bound to self.
## Types
Every instance of a class carries its type with it. This is stored in the special \_\_class property. This property holds the class object. The class object is what we call to build a new instance. We can also index the class object to retrieve class methods and properties.
```yuescript
b = BackPack!
assert b.__class == BackPack
print BackPack.size -- prints 10
```
```yue
b = BackPack!
assert b.__class == BackPack
print BackPack.size -- prints 10
```
## Class Objects
The class object is what we create when we use a class statement. The class object is stored in a variable of the same name of the class.
The class object can be called like a function in order to create new instances. That's how we created instances of classes in the examples above.
A class is made up of two tables. The class table itself, and the base table. The base is used as the metatable for all the instances. All properties listed in the class declaration are placed in the base.
The class object's metatable reads properties from the base if they don't exist in the class object. This means we can access functions and properties directly from the class.
It is important to note that assigning to the class object does not assign into the base, so it's not a valid way to add new methods to instances. Instead the base must explicitly be changed. See the \_\_base field below.
The class object has a couple special properties:
The name of the class as when it was declared is stored as a string in the \_\_name field of the class object.
```yuescript
print BackPack.__name -- prints Backpack
```
```yue
print BackPack.__name -- prints Backpack
```
The base object is stored in \_\_base. We can modify this table to add functionality to instances that have already been created and ones that are yet to be created.
If the class extends from anything, the parent class object is stored in \_\_parent.
## Class Variables
We can create variables directly in the class object instead of in the base by using @ in the front of the property name in a class declaration.
```yuescript
class Things
@some_func: => print "Hello from", @__name
Things\some_func!
-- class variables not visible in instances
assert Things().some_func == nil
```
```yue
class Things
@some_func: => print "Hello from", @__name
Things\some_func!
-- class variables not visible in instances
assert Things().some_func == nil
```
In expressions, we can use @@ to access a value that is stored in the **class of self. Thus, @@hello is shorthand for self.**class.hello.
```yuescript
class Counter
@count: 0
new: =>
@@count += 1
Counter!
Counter!
print Counter.count -- prints 2
```
```yue
class Counter
@count: 0
new: =>
@@count += 1
Counter!
Counter!
print Counter.count -- prints 2
```
The calling semantics of @@ are similar to @. Calling a @@ name will pass the class in as the first argument using Lua's colon syntax.
```yuescript
@@hello 1,2,3,4
```
```yue
@@hello 1,2,3,4
```
## Class Declaration Statements
In the body of a class declaration, we can have normal expressions in addition to key/value pairs. In this context, self is equal to the class object.
Here is an alternative way to create a class variable compared to what's described above:
```yuescript
class Things
@class_var = "hello world"
```
```yue
class Things
@class_var = "hello world"
```
These expressions are executed after all the properties have been added to the base.
All variables declared in the body of the class are local to the classes properties. This is convenient for placing private values or helper functions that only the class methods can access:
```yuescript
class MoreThings
secret = 123
log = (msg) -> print "LOG:", msg
some_method: =>
log "hello world: " .. secret
```
```yue
class MoreThings
secret = 123
log = (msg) -> print "LOG:", msg
some_method: =>
log "hello world: " .. secret
```
## @ and @@ Values
When @ and @@ are prefixed in front of a name they represent, respectively, that name accessed in self and self.\_\_class.
If they are used all by themselves, they are aliases for self and self.\_\_class.
```yuescript
assert @ == self
assert @@ == self.__class
```
```yue
assert @ == self
assert @@ == self.__class
```
For example, a quick way to create a new instance of the same class from an instance method using @@:
```yuescript
some_instance_method = (...) => @@ ...
```
```yue
some_instance_method = (...) => @@ ...
```
## Constructor Property Promotion
To reduce the boilerplate code for definition of simple value objects. You can write a simple class like:
```yuescript
class Something
new: (@foo, @bar, @@biz, @@baz) =>
-- Which is short for
class Something
new: (foo, bar, biz, baz) =>
@foo = foo
@bar = bar
@@biz = biz
@@baz = baz
```
```yue
class Something
new: (@foo, @bar, @@biz, @@baz) =>
-- Which is short for
class Something
new: (foo, bar, biz, baz) =>
@foo = foo
@bar = bar
@@biz = biz
@@baz = baz
```
You can also use this syntax for a common function to initialize a object's fields.
```yuescript
new = (@fieldA, @fieldB) => @
obj = new {}, 123, "abc"
print obj
```
```yue
new = (@fieldA, @fieldB) => @
obj = new {}, 123, "abc"
print obj
```
## Class Expressions
The class syntax can also be used as an expression which can be assigned to a variable or explicitly returned.
```yuescript
x = class Bucket
drops: 0
add_drop: => @drops += 1
```
```yue
x = class Bucket
drops: 0
add_drop: => @drops += 1
```
## Anonymous classes
The name can be left out when declaring a class. The \_\_name attribute will be nil, unless the class expression is in an assignment. The name on the left hand side of the assignment is used instead of nil.
```yuescript
BigBucket = class extends Bucket
add_drop: => @drops += 10
assert Bucket.__name == "BigBucket"
```
```yue
BigBucket = class extends Bucket
add_drop: => @drops += 10
assert Bucket.__name == "BigBucket"
```
You can even leave off the body, meaning you can write a blank anonymous class like this:
```yuescript
x = class
```
```yue
x = class
```
## Class Mixing
You can do mixing with keyword `using` to copy functions from either a plain table or a predefined class object into your new class. When doing mixing with a plain table, you can override the class indexing function (metamethod `__index`) to your customized implementation. When doing mixing with an existing class object, the class object's metamethods won't be copied.
```yuescript
MyIndex = __index: var: 1
class X using MyIndex
func: =>
print 123
x = X!
print x.var
class Y using X
y = Y!
y\func!
assert y.__class.__parent ~= X -- X is not parent of Y
```
```yue
MyIndex = __index: var: 1
class X using MyIndex
func: =>
print 123
x = X!
print x.var
class Y using X
y = Y!
y\func!
assert y.__class.__parent ~= X -- X is not parent of Y
```
# With Statement
A common pattern involving the creation of an object is calling a series of functions and setting a series of properties immediately after creating it.
This results in repeating the name of the object multiple times in code, adding unnecessary noise. A common solution to this is to pass a table in as an argument which contains a collection of keys and values to overwrite. The downside to this is that the constructor of this object must support this form.
The with block helps to alleviate this. Within a with block we can use a special statements that begin with either . or \ which represent those operations applied to the object we are using with on.
For example, we work with a newly created object:
```yuescript
with Person!
.name = "Oswald"
\add_relative my_dad
\save!
print .name
```
```yue
with Person!
.name = "Oswald"
\add_relative my_dad
\save!
print .name
```
The with statement can also be used as an expression which returns the value it has been giving access to.
```yuescript
file = with File "favorite_foods.txt"
\set_encoding "utf8"
```
```yue
file = with File "favorite_foods.txt"
\set_encoding "utf8"
```
`with` expressions support `break` with one value:
```yuescript
result = with obj
break .value
```
```yue
result = with obj
break .value
```
After `break value` is used inside `with`, the `with` expression no longer returns its target object. Instead, it returns the value from `break`.
```yuescript
a = with obj
.x = 1
-- a is obj
b = with obj
break .x
-- b is .x, not obj
```
```yue
a = with obj
.x = 1
-- a is obj
b = with obj
break .x
-- b is .x, not obj
```
Unlike `for` / `while` / `repeat` / `do`, `with` only supports one break value.
Or…
```yuescript
create_person = (name, relatives) ->
with Person!
.name = name
\add_relative relative for relative in *relatives
me = create_person "Leaf", [dad, mother, sister]
```
```yue
create_person = (name, relatives) ->
with Person!
.name = name
\add_relative relative for relative in *relatives
me = create_person "Leaf", [dad, mother, sister]
```
In this usage, with can be seen as a special form of the K combinator.
The expression in the with statement can also be an assignment, if you want to give a name to the expression.
```yuescript
with str := "Hello"
print "original:", str
print "upper:", \upper!
```
```yue
with str := "Hello"
print "original:", str
print "upper:", \upper!
```
You can access special keys with `[]` in a `with` statement.
```yuescript
with tb
[1] = 1
print [2]
with [abc]
[3] = [2]\func!
["key-name"] = value
[] = "abc" -- appending to "tb"
```
```yue
with tb
[1] = 1
print [2]
with [abc]
[3] = [2]\func!
["key-name"] = value
[] = "abc" -- appending to "tb"
```
`with?` is an enhanced version of `with` syntax, which introduces an existential check to safely access objects that may be nil without explicit null checks.
```yuescript
with? obj
print obj.name
```
```yue
with? obj
print obj.name
```
# Assignment
The variable is dynamic typed and is defined as local by default. But you can change the scope of declaration by **local** and **global** statement.
```yuescript
hello = "world"
a, b, c = 1, 2, 3
hello = 123 -- uses the existing variable
```
```yue
hello = "world"
a, b, c = 1, 2, 3
hello = 123 -- uses the existing variable
```
## Perform Update
You can perform update assignment with many binary operators.
```yuescript
x = 1
x += 1
x -= 1
x *= 10
x /= 10
x %= 10
s ..= "world" -- will add a new local if local variable is not exist
arg or= "default value"
```
```yue
x = 1
x += 1
x -= 1
x *= 10
x /= 10
x %= 10
s ..= "world" -- will add a new local if local variable is not exist
arg or= "default value"
```
## Chaining Assignment
You can do chaining assignment to assign multiple items to hold the same value.
```yuescript
a = b = c = d = e = 0
x = y = z = f!
```
```yue
a = b = c = d = e = 0
x = y = z = f!
```
## Explicit Locals
```yuescript
do
local a = 1
local *
print "forward declare all variables as locals"
x = -> 1 + y + z
y, z = 2, 3
global instance = Item\new!
do
local X = 1
local ^
print "only forward declare upper case variables"
a = 1
B = 2
```
```yue
do
local a = 1
local *
print "forward declare all variables as locals"
x = -> 1 + y + z
y, z = 2, 3
global instance = Item\new!
do
local X = 1
local ^
print "only forward declare upper case variables"
a = 1
B = 2
```
## Explicit Globals
```yuescript
do
global a = 1
global *
print "declare all variables as globals"
x = -> 1 + y + z
y, z = 2, 3
do
global X = 1
global ^
print "only declare upper case variables as globals"
a = 1
B = 2
local Temp = "a local value"
```
```yue
do
global a = 1
global *
print "declare all variables as globals"
x = -> 1 + y + z
y, z = 2, 3
do
global X = 1
global ^
print "only declare upper case variables as globals"
a = 1
B = 2
local Temp = "a local value"
```
# Varargs Assignment
You can assign the results returned from a function to a varargs symbol `...`. And then access its content using the Lua way.
```yuescript
list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
fn = (ok) -> ok, table.unpack list
ok, ... = fn true
count = select '#', ...
first = select 1, ...
print ok, count, first
```
```yue
list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
fn = (ok) -> ok, table.unpack list
ok, ... = fn true
count = select '#', ...
first = select 1, ...
print ok, count, first
```
# If Assignment
`if` and `elseif` blocks can take an assignment in place of a conditional expression. Upon evaluating the conditional, the assignment will take place and the value that was assigned to will be used as the conditional expression. The assigned variable is only in scope for the body of the conditional, meaning it is never available if the value is not truthy. And you have to use "the walrus operator" `:=` instead of `=` to do assignment.
```yuescript
if user := database.find_user "moon"
print user.name
```
```yue
if user := database.find_user "moon"
print user.name
```
```yuescript
if hello := os.getenv "hello"
print "You have hello", hello
elseif world := os.getenv "world"
print "you have world", world
else
print "nothing :("
```
```yue
if hello := os.getenv "hello"
print "You have hello", hello
elseif world := os.getenv "world"
print "you have world", world
else
print "nothing :("
```
If assignment with multiple return values. Only the first value is getting checked, other values are scoped.
```yuescript
if success, result := pcall -> "get result without problems"
print result -- variable result is scoped
print "OK"
```
```yue
if success, result := pcall -> "get result without problems"
print result -- variable result is scoped
print "OK"
```
## While Assignment
You can also use if assignment in a while loop to get the value as the loop condition.
```yuescript
while byte := stream\read_one!
-- do something with the byte
print byte
```
```yue
while byte := stream\read_one!
-- do something with the byte
print byte
```
# Destructuring Assignment
Destructuring assignment is a way to quickly extract values from a table by their name or position in array based tables.
Typically when you see a table literal, {1,2,3}, it is on the right hand side of an assignment because it is a value. Destructuring assignment swaps the role of the table literal, and puts it on the left hand side of an assign statement.
This is best explained with examples. Here is how you would unpack the first two values from a table:
```yuescript
thing = [1, 2]
[a, b] = thing
print a, b
```
```yue
thing = [1, 2]
[a, b] = thing
print a, b
```
In the destructuring table literal, the key represents the key to read from the right hand side, and the value represents the name the read value will be assigned to.
```yuescript
obj = {
hello: "world"
day: "tuesday"
length: 20
}
{hello: hello, day: the_day} = obj
print hello, the_day
:day = obj -- OK to do simple destructuring without braces
```
```yue
obj = {
hello: "world"
day: "tuesday"
length: 20
}
{hello: hello, day: the_day} = obj
print hello, the_day
:day = obj -- OK to do simple destructuring without braces
```
This also works with nested data structures as well:
```yuescript
obj2 = {
numbers: [1, 2, 3, 4]
properties: {
color: "green"
height: 13.5
}
}
{numbers: [first, second], properties: {color: color}} = obj2
print first, second, color
```
```yue
obj2 = {
numbers: [1, 2, 3, 4]
properties: {
color: "green"
height: 13.5
}
}
{numbers: [first, second], properties: {color: color}} = obj2
print first, second, color
```
If the destructuring statement is complicated, feel free to spread it out over a few lines. A slightly more complicated example:
```yuescript
{
numbers: [first, second]
properties: {
color: color
}
} = obj2
```
```yue
{
numbers: [first, second]
properties: {
color: color
}
} = obj2
```
It's common to extract values from at table and assign them the local variables that have the same name as the key. In order to avoid repetition we can use the **:** prefix operator:
```yuescript
{:concat, :insert} = table
```
```yue
{:concat, :insert} = table
```
This is effectively the same as import, but we can rename fields we want to extract by mixing the syntax:
```yuescript
{:mix, :max, random: rand} = math
```
```yue
{:mix, :max, random: rand} = math
```
You can write default values while doing destructuring like:
```yuescript
{:name = "nameless", :job = "jobless"} = person
```
```yue
{:name = "nameless", :job = "jobless"} = person
```
You can use `_` as placeholder when doing a list destructuring:
```yuescript
[_, two, _, four] = items
```
```yue
[_, two, _, four] = items
```
## Range Destructuring
You can use the spread operator `...` in list destructuring to capture a range of values. This is useful when you want to extract specific elements from the beginning and end of a list while collecting the rest in between.
```yuescript
orders = ["first", "second", "third", "fourth", "last"]
[first, ...bulk, last] = orders
print first -- prints: first
print bulk -- prints: {"second", "third", "fourth"}
print last -- prints: last
```
```yue
orders = ["first", "second", "third", "fourth", "last"]
[first, ...bulk, last] = orders
print first -- prints: first
print bulk -- prints: {"second", "third", "fourth"}
print last -- prints: last
```
The spread operator can be used in different positions to capture different ranges, and you can use `_` as a placeholder for the values you don't want to capture:
```yuescript
-- Capture everything after first element
[first, ...rest] = orders
-- Capture everything before last element
[...start, last] = orders
-- Capture things except the middle elements
[first, ..._, last] = orders
```
```yue
-- Capture everything after first element
[first, ...rest] = orders
-- Capture everything before last element
[...start, last] = orders
-- Capture things except the middle elements
[first, ..._, last] = orders
```
## Destructuring In Other Places
Destructuring can also show up in places where an assignment implicitly takes place. An example of this is a for loop:
```yuescript
tuples = [
["hello", "world"]
["egg", "head"]
]
for [left, right] in *tuples
print left, right
```
```yue
tuples = [
["hello", "world"]
["egg", "head"]
]
for [left, right] in *tuples
print left, right
```
We know each element in the array table is a two item tuple, so we can unpack it directly in the names clause of the for statement using a destructure.
# The Using Clause; Controlling Destructive Assignment
While lexical scoping can be a great help in reducing the complexity of the code we write, things can get unwieldy as the code size increases. Consider the following snippet:
```yuescript
i = 100
-- many lines of code...
my_func = ->
i = 10
while i > 0
print i
i -= 1
my_func!
print i -- will print 0
```
```yue
i = 100
-- many lines of code...
my_func = ->
i = 10
while i > 0
print i
i -= 1
my_func!
print i -- will print 0
```
In my_func, we've overwritten the value of i mistakenly. In this example it is quite obvious, but consider a large, or foreign code base where it isn't clear what names have already been declared.
It would be helpful to say which variables from the enclosing scope we intend on change, in order to prevent us from changing others by accident.
The using keyword lets us do that. using nil makes sure that no closed variables are overwritten in assignment. The using clause is placed after the argument list in a function, or in place of it if there are no arguments.
```yuescript
i = 100
my_func = (using nil) ->
i = "hello" -- a new local variable is created here
my_func!
print i -- prints 100, i is unaffected
```
```yue
i = 100
my_func = (using nil) ->
i = "hello" -- a new local variable is created here
my_func!
print i -- prints 100, i is unaffected
```
Multiple names can be separated by commas. Closure values can still be accessed, they just cant be modified:
```yuescript
tmp = 1213
i, k = 100, 50
my_func = (add using k, i) ->
tmp = tmp + add -- a new local tmp is created
i += tmp
k += tmp
my_func(22)
print i, k -- these have been updated
```
```yue
tmp = 1213
i, k = 100, 50
my_func = (add using k, i) ->
tmp = tmp + add -- a new local tmp is created
i += tmp
k += tmp
my_func(22)
print i, k -- these have been updated
```
# Usage
## Lua Module
Use YueScript module in Lua:
- **Case 1**
Require "your_yuescript_entry.yue" in Lua.
```Lua
require("yue")("your_yuescript_entry")
```
And this code still works when you compile "your_yuescript_entry.yue" to "your_yuescript_entry.lua" in the same path. In the rest YueScript files just use the normal **require** or **import**. The code line numbers in error messages will also be handled correctly.
- **Case 2**
Require YueScript module and rewite message by hand.
```lua
local yue = require("yue")
yue.insert_loader()
local success, result = xpcall(function()
return require("yuescript_module_name")
end, function(err)
return yue.traceback(err)
end)
```
- **Case 3**
Use the YueScript compiler function in Lua.
```lua
local yue = require("yue")
local codes, err, globals = yue.to_lua([[
f = ->
print "hello world"
f!
]],{
implicit_return_root = true,
reserve_line_number = true,
lint_global = true,
space_over_tab = false,
options = {
target = "5.4",
path = "/script"
}
})
```
## YueScript Tool
Use YueScript tool with:
```shell
> yue -h
Usage: yue
[options] [] ...
yue -e [args...]
yue -w [] [options]
yue -
Notes:
- '-' / '--' must be the first and only argument.
- '-o/--output' can not be used with multiple input files.
- '-w/--watch' can not be used with file input (directory only).
- with '-e/--execute', remaining tokens are treated as script args.
Options:
-h, --help Show this help message and exit.
-e , --execute Execute a file or raw codes
-m, --minify Generate minified codes
-r, --rewrite Rewrite output to match original line numbers
-t , --output-to
Specify where to place compiled files
-o , --output Write output to file
-p, --print Write output to standard out
-b, --benchmark Dump compile time (doesn't write output)
-g, --globals Dump global variables used in NAME LINE COLUMN
-s, --spaces Use spaces in generated codes instead of tabs
-l, --line-numbers Write line numbers from source codes
-j, --no-implicit-return Disable implicit return at end of file
-c, --reserve-comments Reserve comments before statement from source codes
-w [], --watch []
Watch changes and compile every file under directory
-v, --version Print version
- Read from standard in, print to standard out
(Must be first and only argument)
-- Same as '-' (kept for backward compatibility)
--target Specify the Lua version that codes will be generated to
(version can only be 5.1 to 5.5)
--path Append an extra Lua search path string to package.path
--= Pass compiler option in key=value form (existing behavior)
Execute without options to enter REPL, type symbol '$'
in a single line to start/stop multi-line mode
```
Use cases:
Recursively compile every YueScript file with extension **.yue** under current path: **yue .**
Compile and save results to a target path: **yue -t /target/path/ .**
Compile and reserve debug info: **yue -l .**
Compile and generate minified codes: **yue -m .**
Execute raw codes: **yue -e 'print 123'**
Execute a YueScript file: **yue -e main.yue**
# Introduction
YueScript is a dynamic language that compiles to Lua. And it's a [MoonScript](https://github.com/leafo/moonscript) dialect. The codes written in YueScript are expressive and extremely concise. And it is suitable for writing some changing application logic with more maintainable codes and runs in a Lua embeded environment such as games or website servers.
Yue (月) is the name of moon in Chinese and it's pronounced as [jyɛ].
## An Overview of YueScript
```yuescript
-- import syntax
import p, to_lua from "yue"
-- object literals
inventory =
equipment:
- "sword"
- "shield"
items:
- name: "potion"
count: 10
- name: "bread"
count: 3
-- list comprehension
map = (arr, action) ->
[action item for item in *arr]
filter = (arr, cond) ->
[item for item in *arr when cond item]
reduce = (arr, init, action): init ->
init = action init, item for item in *arr
-- pipe operator
[1, 2, 3]
|> map (x) -> x * 2
|> filter (x) -> x > 4
|> reduce 0, (a, b) -> a + b
|> print
-- metatable manipulation
apple =
size: 15
:
color: 0x00ffff
with apple
p .size, .color, . if .<>?
-- js-like export syntax
export 🌛 = "Script of Moon"
```
```yue
-- import syntax
import p, to_lua from "yue"
-- object literals
inventory =
equipment:
- "sword"
- "shield"
items:
- name: "potion"
count: 10
- name: "bread"
count: 3
-- list comprehension
map = (arr, action) ->
[action item for item in *arr]
filter = (arr, cond) ->
[item for item in *arr when cond item]
reduce = (arr, init, action): init ->
init = action init, item for item in *arr
-- pipe operator
[1, 2, 3]
|> map (x) -> x * 2
|> filter (x) -> x > 4
|> reduce 0, (a, b) -> a + b
|> print
-- metatable manipulation
apple =
size: 15
:
color: 0x00ffff
with apple
p .size, .color, . if .<>?
-- js-like export syntax
export 🌛 = "Script of Moon"
```
## About Dora SSR
YueScript is being developed and maintained alongside the open-source game engine [Dora SSR](https://github.com/Dora-SSR/Dora-SSR). It has been used to create engine tools, game demos and prototypes, validating its capabilities in real-world scenarios while enhancing the Dora SSR development experience.
# Installation
## Lua Module
Install [luarocks](https://luarocks.org), a package manager for Lua modules. Then install it as a Lua module and executable with:
```shell
luarocks install yuescript
```
Or you can build `yue.so` file with:
```shell
make shared LUAI=/usr/local/include/lua LUAL=/usr/local/lib/lua
```
Then get the binary file from path **bin/shared/yue.so**.
## Build Binary Tool
Clone this repo, then build and install executable with:
```shell
make install
```
Build YueScript tool without macro feature:
```shell
make install NO_MACRO=true
```
Build YueScript tool without built-in Lua binary:
```shell
make install NO_LUA=true
```
## Download Precompiled Binary
You can download precompiled binary files, including binary executable files compatible with different Lua versions and library files.
Download precompiled binary files from [here](https://github.com/IppClub/YueScript/releases).
# Conditionals
```yuescript
have_coins = false
if have_coins
print "Got coins"
else
print "No coins"
```
```yue
have_coins = false
if have_coins
print "Got coins"
else
print "No coins"
```
A short syntax for single statements can also be used:
```yuescript
have_coins = false
if have_coins then print "Got coins" else print "No coins"
```
```yue
have_coins = false
if have_coins then print "Got coins" else print "No coins"
```
Because if statements can be used as expressions, this can also be written as:
```yuescript
have_coins = false
print if have_coins then "Got coins" else "No coins"
```
```yue
have_coins = false
print if have_coins then "Got coins" else "No coins"
```
Conditionals can also be used in return statements and assignments:
```yuescript
is_tall = (name) ->
if name == "Rob"
true
else
false
message = if is_tall "Rob"
"I am very tall"
else
"I am not so tall"
print message -- prints: I am very tall
```
```yue
is_tall = (name) ->
if name == "Rob"
true
else
false
message = if is_tall "Rob"
"I am very tall"
else
"I am not so tall"
print message -- prints: I am very tall
```
The opposite of if is unless:
```yuescript
unless os.date("%A") == "Monday"
print "it is not Monday!"
```
```yue
unless os.date("%A") == "Monday"
print "it is not Monday!"
```
```yuescript
print "You're lucky!" unless math.random! > 0.1
```
```yue
print "You're lucky!" unless math.random! > 0.1
```
## In Expression
You can write range checking code with an `in-expression`.
```yuescript
a = 5
if a in [1, 3, 5, 7]
print "checking equality with discrete values"
if a in list
print "checking if `a` is in a list"
```
```yue
a = 5
if a in [1, 3, 5, 7]
print "checking equality with discrete values"
if a in list
print "checking if `a` is in a list"
```
# For Loop
There are two for loop forms, just like in Lua. A numeric one and a generic one:
```yuescript
for i = 10, 20
print i
for k = 1, 15, 2 -- an optional step provided
print k
for key, value in pairs object
print key, value
```
```yue
for i = 10, 20
print i
for k = 1, 15, 2 -- an optional step provided
print k
for key, value in pairs object
print key, value
```
The slicing and **\*** operators can be used, just like with comprehensions:
```yuescript
for item in *items[2, 4]
print item
```
```yue
for item in *items[2, 4]
print item
```
A shorter syntax is also available for all variations when the body is only a single line:
```yuescript
for item in *items do print item
for j = 1, 10, 3 do print j
```
```yue
for item in *items do print item
for j = 1, 10, 3 do print j
```
A for loop can also be used as an expression. The last statement in the body of the for loop is coerced into an expression and appended to an accumulating array table.
Doubling every even number:
```yuescript
doubled_evens = for i = 1, 20
if i % 2 == 0
i * 2
else
i
```
```yue
doubled_evens = for i = 1, 20
if i % 2 == 0
i * 2
else
i
```
In addition, for loops support break with return values, allowing the loop itself to be used as an expression that exits early with meaningful results.
For example, to find the first number greater than 10:
```yuescript
first_large = for n in *numbers
break n if n > 10
```
```yue
first_large = for n in *numbers
break n if n > 10
```
This break-with-value syntax enables concise and expressive search or early-exit patterns directly within loop expressions.
For loop expressions can break with multiple values:
```yuescript
key, score = for k, v in pairs data
break k, v * 10 if k == "target"
```
```yue
key, score = for k, v in pairs data
break k, v * 10 if k == "target"
```
You can also filter values by combining the for loop expression with the continue statement.
For loops at the end of a function body are not accumulated into a table for a return value (Instead the function will return nil). Either an explicit return statement can be used, or the loop can be converted into a list comprehension.
```yuescript
func_a = -> for i = 1, 10 do print i
func_b = -> return for i = 1, 10 do i
print func_a! -- prints nil
print func_b! -- prints table object
```
```yue
func_a = -> for i = 1, 10 do print i
func_b = -> return for i = 1, 10 do i
print func_a! -- prints nil
print func_b! -- prints table object
```
This is done to avoid the needless creation of tables for functions that don't need to return the results of the loop.
# Continue
A continue statement can be used to skip the current iteration in a loop.
```yuescript
i = 0
while i < 10
i += 1
continue if i % 2 == 0
print i
```
```yue
i = 0
while i < 10
i += 1
continue if i % 2 == 0
print i
```
continue can also be used with loop expressions to prevent that iteration from accumulating into the result. This examples filters the array table into just even numbers:
```yuescript
my_numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
odds = for x in *my_numbers
continue if x % 2 == 1
x
```
```yue
my_numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
odds = for x in *my_numbers
continue if x % 2 == 1
x
```
# Switch
The switch statement is shorthand for writing a series of if statements that check against the same value. Note that the value is only evaluated once. Like if statements, switches can have an else block to handle no matches. Comparison is done with the == operator. In switch statement, you can also use assignment expression to store temporary variable value.
```yuescript
switch name := "Dan"
when "Robert"
print "You are Robert"
when "Dan", "Daniel"
print "Your name, it's Dan"
else
print "I don't know about you with name #{name}"
```
```yue
switch name := "Dan"
when "Robert"
print "You are Robert"
when "Dan", "Daniel"
print "Your name, it's Dan"
else
print "I don't know about you with name #{name}"
```
A switch when clause can match against multiple values by listing them out comma separated.
Switches can be used as expressions as well, here we can assign the result of the switch to a variable:
```yuescript
b = 1
next_number = switch b
when 1
2
when 2
3
else
error "can't count that high!"
```
```yue
b = 1
next_number = switch b
when 1
2
when 2
3
else
error "can't count that high!"
```
We can use the then keyword to write a switch's when block on a single line. No extra keyword is needed to write the else block on a single line.
```yuescript
msg = switch math.random(1, 5)
when 1 then "you are lucky"
when 2 then "you are almost lucky"
else "not so lucky"
```
```yue
msg = switch math.random(1, 5)
when 1 then "you are lucky"
when 2 then "you are almost lucky"
else "not so lucky"
```
If you want to write code with one less indent when writing a switch statement, you can put the first when clause on the statement start line, and then all other clauses can be written with one less indent.
```yuescript
switch math.random(1, 5)
when 1
print "you are lucky" -- two indents
else
print "not so lucky"
switch math.random(1, 5) when 1
print "you are lucky" -- one indent
else
print "not so lucky"
```
```yue
switch math.random(1, 5)
when 1
print "you are lucky" -- two indents
else
print "not so lucky"
switch math.random(1, 5) when 1
print "you are lucky" -- one indent
else
print "not so lucky"
```
It is worth noting the order of the case comparison expression. The case's expression is on the left hand side. This can be useful if the case's expression wants to overwrite how the comparison is done by defining an eq metamethod.
## Table Matching
You can do table matching in a switch when clause, if the table can be destructured by a specific structure and get non-nil values.
```yuescript
items =
* x: 100
y: 200
* width: 300
height: 400
for item in *items
switch item
when :x, :y
print "Vec2 #{x}, #{y}"
when :width, :height
print "size #{width}, #{height}"
```
```yue
items =
* x: 100
y: 200
* width: 300
height: 400
for item in *items
switch item
when :x, :y
print "Vec2 #{x}, #{y}"
when :width, :height
print "size #{width}, #{height}"
```
You can use default values to optionally destructure the table for some fields.
```yuescript
item = {}
{pos: {:x = 50, :y = 200}} = item -- get error: attempt to index a nil value (field 'pos')
switch item
when {pos: {:x = 50, :y = 200}}
print "Vec2 #{x}, #{y}" -- table destructuring will still pass
```
```yue
item = {}
{pos: {:x = 50, :y = 200}} = item -- get error: attempt to index a nil value (field 'pos')
switch item
when {pos: {:x = 50, :y = 200}}
print "Vec2 #{x}, #{y}" -- table destructuring will still pass
```
You can also match against array elements, table fields, and even nested structures with array or table literals.
Match against array elements.
```yuescript
switch tb
when [1, 2, 3]
print "1, 2, 3"
when [1, b, 3]
print "1, #{b}, 3"
when [1, 2, b = 3] -- b has a default value
print "1, 2, #{b}"
```
```yue
switch tb
when [1, 2, 3]
print "1, 2, 3"
when [1, b, 3]
print "1, #{b}, 3"
when [1, 2, b = 3] -- b has a default value
print "1, 2, #{b}"
```
Match against table fields with destructuring.
```yuescript
switch tb
when success: true, :result
print "success", result
when success: false
print "failed", result
else
print "invalid"
```
```yue
switch tb
when success: true, :result
print "success", result
when success: false
print "failed", result
else
print "invalid"
```
Match against nested table structures.
```yuescript
switch tb
when data: {type: "success", :content}
print "success", content
when data: {type: "error", :content}
print "failed", content
else
print "invalid"
```
```yue
switch tb
when data: {type: "success", :content}
print "success", content
when data: {type: "error", :content}
print "failed", content
else
print "invalid"
```
Match against array of tables.
```yuescript
switch tb
when [
{a: 1, b: 2}
{a: 3, b: 4}
{a: 5, b: 6}
fourth
]
print "matched", fourth
```
```yue
switch tb
when [
{a: 1, b: 2}
{a: 3, b: 4}
{a: 5, b: 6}
fourth
]
print "matched", fourth
```
Match against a list and capture a range of elements.
```yuescript
segments = ["admin", "users", "logs", "view"]
switch segments
when [...groups, resource, action]
print "Group:", groups -- prints: {"admin", "users"}
print "Resource:", resource -- prints: "logs"
print "Action:", action -- prints: "view"
```
```yue
segments = ["admin", "users", "logs", "view"]
switch segments
when [...groups, resource, action]
print "Group:", groups -- prints: {"admin", "users"}
print "Resource:", resource -- prints: "logs"
print "Action:", action -- prints: "view"
```
# While Loop
The while loop also comes in four variations:
```yuescript
i = 10
while i > 0
print i
i -= 1
while running == true do my_function!
```
```yue
i = 10
while i > 0
print i
i -= 1
while running == true do my_function!
```
```yuescript
i = 10
until i == 0
print i
i -= 1
until running == false do my_function!
```
```yue
i = 10
until i == 0
print i
i -= 1
until running == false do my_function!
```
Like for loops, the while loop can also be used as an expression. While and until loop expressions support `break` with multiple return values.
```yuescript
value, doubled = while true
n = get_next!
break n, n * 2 if n > 10
```
```yue
value, doubled = while true
n = get_next!
break n, n * 2 if n > 10
```
Additionally, for a function to return the accumulated value of a while loop, the statement must be explicitly returned.
## Repeat Loop
The repeat loop comes from Lua:
```yuescript
i = 10
repeat
print i
i -= 1
until i == 0
```
```yue
i = 10
repeat
print i
i -= 1
until i == 0
```
Repeat loop expressions also support `break` with multiple return values:
```yuescript
i = 1
value, scaled = repeat
break i, i * 100 if i > 3
i += 1
until false
```
```yue
i = 1
value, scaled = repeat
break i, i * 100 if i > 3
i += 1
until false
```
# Function Stubs
It is common to pass a function from an object around as a value, for example, passing an instance method into a function as a callback. If the function expects the object it is operating on as the first argument then you must somehow bundle that object with the function so it can be called properly.
The function stub syntax is a shorthand for creating a new closure function that bundles both the object and function. This new function calls the wrapped function in the correct context of the object.
Its syntax is the same as calling an instance method with the \ operator but with no argument list provided.
```yuescript
my_object = {
value: 1000
write: => print "the value:", @value
}
run_callback = (func) ->
print "running callback..."
func!
-- this will not work:
-- the function has to no reference to my_object
run_callback my_object.write
-- function stub syntax
-- lets us bundle the object into a new function
run_callback my_object\write
```
```yue
my_object = {
value: 1000
write: => print "the value:", @value
}
run_callback = (func) ->
print "running callback..."
func!
-- this will not work:
-- the function has to no reference to my_object
run_callback my_object.write
-- function stub syntax
-- lets us bundle the object into a new function
run_callback my_object\write
```
# Backcalls
Backcalls are used for unnesting callbacks. They are defined using arrows pointed to the left as the last parameter by default filling in a function call. All the syntax is mostly the same as regular arrow functions except that it is just pointing the other way and the function body does not require indent.
```yuescript
x <- f
print "hello" .. x
```
```yue
x <- f
print "hello" .. x
```
Fat arrow functions are also available.
```yuescript
<= f
print @value
```
```yue
<= f
print @value
```
You can specify a placeholder for where you want the backcall function to go as a parameter.
```yuescript
(x) <- map _, [1, 2, 3]
x * 2
```
```yue
(x) <- map _, [1, 2, 3]
x * 2
```
If you wish to have further code after your backcalls, you can set them aside with a do statement. And the parentheses can be omitted with non-fat arrow functions.
```yuescript
result, msg = do
data <- readAsync "filename.txt"
print data
info <- processAsync data
check info
print result, msg
```
```yue
result, msg = do
data <- readAsync "filename.txt"
print data
info <- processAsync data
check info
print result, msg
```
# Function Literals
All functions are created using a function expression. A simple function is denoted using the arrow: **->**.
```yuescript
my_function = ->
my_function() -- call the empty function
```
```yue
my_function = ->
my_function() -- call the empty function
```
The body of the function can either be one statement placed directly after the arrow, or it can be a series of statements indented on the following lines:
```yuescript
func_a = -> print "hello world"
func_b = ->
value = 100
print "The value:", value
```
```yue
func_a = -> print "hello world"
func_b = ->
value = 100
print "The value:", value
```
If a function has no arguments, it can be called using the ! operator, instead of empty parentheses. The ! invocation is the preferred way to call functions with no arguments.
```yuescript
func_a!
func_b()
```
```yue
func_a!
func_b()
```
Functions with arguments can be created by preceding the arrow with a list of argument names in parentheses:
```yuescript
sum = (x, y) -> print "sum", x + y
```
```yue
sum = (x, y) -> print "sum", x + y
```
Functions can be called by listing the arguments after the name of an expression that evaluates to a function. When chaining together function calls, the arguments are applied to the closest function to the left.
```yuescript
sum 10, 20
print sum 10, 20
a b c "a", "b", "c"
```
```yue
sum 10, 20
print sum 10, 20
a b c "a", "b", "c"
```
In order to avoid ambiguity in when calling functions, parentheses can also be used to surround the arguments. This is required here in order to make sure the right arguments get sent to the right functions.
```yuescript
print "x:", sum(10, 20), "y:", sum(30, 40)
```
```yue
print "x:", sum(10, 20), "y:", sum(30, 40)
```
There must not be any space between the opening parenthesis and the function.
Functions will coerce the last statement in their body into a return statement, this is called implicit return:
```yuescript
sum = (x, y) -> x + y
print "The sum is ", sum 10, 20
```
```yue
sum = (x, y) -> x + y
print "The sum is ", sum 10, 20
```
And if you need to explicitly return, you can use the return keyword:
```yuescript
sum = (x, y) -> return x + y
```
```yue
sum = (x, y) -> return x + y
```
Just like in Lua, functions can return multiple values. The last statement must be a list of values separated by commas:
```yuescript
mystery = (x, y) -> x + y, x - y
a, b = mystery 10, 20
```
```yue
mystery = (x, y) -> x + y, x - y
a, b = mystery 10, 20
```
## Fat Arrows
Because it is an idiom in Lua to send an object as the first argument when calling a method, a special syntax is provided for creating functions which automatically includes a self argument.
```yuescript
func = (num) => @value + num
```
```yue
func = (num) => @value + num
```
## Argument Defaults
It is possible to provide default values for the arguments of a function. An argument is determined to be empty if its value is nil. Any nil arguments that have a default value will be replace before the body of the function is run.
```yuescript
my_function = (name = "something", height = 100) ->
print "Hello I am", name
print "My height is", height
```
```yue
my_function = (name = "something", height = 100) ->
print "Hello I am", name
print "My height is", height
```
An argument default value expression is evaluated in the body of the function in the order of the argument declarations. For this reason default values have access to previously declared arguments.
```yuescript
some_args = (x = 100, y = x + 1000) ->
print x + y
```
```yue
some_args = (x = 100, y = x + 1000) ->
print x + y
```
## Considerations
Because of the expressive parentheses-less way of calling functions, some restrictions must be put in place to avoid parsing ambiguity involving whitespace.
The minus sign plays two roles, a unary negation operator and a binary subtraction operator. Consider how the following examples compile:
```yuescript
a = x - 10
b = x-10
c = x -y
d = x- z
```
```yue
a = x - 10
b = x-10
c = x -y
d = x- z
```
The precedence of the first argument of a function call can be controlled using whitespace if the argument is a literal string. In Lua, it is common to leave off parentheses when calling a function with a single string or table literal.
When there is no space between a variable and a string literal, the function call takes precedence over any following expressions. No other arguments can be passed to the function when it is called this way.
Where there is a space following a variable and a string literal, the function call acts as show above. The string literal belongs to any following expressions (if they exist), which serves as the argument list.
```yuescript
x = func"hello" + 100
y = func "hello" + 100
```
```yue
x = func"hello" + 100
y = func "hello" + 100
```
## Multi-line arguments
When calling functions that take a large number of arguments, it is convenient to split the argument list over multiple lines. Because of the white-space sensitive nature of the language, care must be taken when splitting up the argument list.
If an argument list is to be continued onto the next line, the current line must end in a comma. And the following line must be indented more than the current indentation. Once indented, all other argument lines must be at the same level of indentation to be part of the argument list
```yuescript
my_func 5, 4, 3,
8, 9, 10
cool_func 1, 2,
3, 4,
5, 6,
7, 8
```
```yue
my_func 5, 4, 3,
8, 9, 10
cool_func 1, 2,
3, 4,
5, 6,
7, 8
```
This type of invocation can be nested. The level of indentation is used to determine to which function the arguments belong to.
```yuescript
my_func 5, 6, 7,
6, another_func 6, 7, 8,
9, 1, 2,
5, 4
```
```yue
my_func 5, 6, 7,
6, another_func 6, 7, 8,
9, 1, 2,
5, 4
```
Because tables also use the comma as a delimiter, this indentation syntax is helpful for letting values be part of the argument list instead of being part of the table.
```yuescript
x = [
1, 2, 3, 4, a_func 4, 5,
5, 6,
8, 9, 10
]
```
```yue
x = [
1, 2, 3, 4, a_func 4, 5,
5, 6,
8, 9, 10
]
```
Although uncommon, notice how we can give a deeper indentation for function arguments if we know we will be using a lower indentation further on.
```yuescript
y = [ my_func 1, 2, 3,
4, 5,
5, 6, 7
]
```
```yue
y = [ my_func 1, 2, 3,
4, 5,
5, 6, 7
]
```
The same thing can be done with other block level statements like conditionals. We can use indentation level to determine what statement a value belongs to:
```yuescript
if func 1, 2, 3,
"hello",
"world"
print "hello"
print "I am inside if"
if func 1, 2, 3,
"hello",
"world"
print "hello"
print "I am inside if"
```
```yue
if func 1, 2, 3,
"hello",
"world"
print "hello"
print "I am inside if"
if func 1, 2, 3,
"hello",
"world"
print "hello"
print "I am inside if"
```
## Parameter Destructuring
YueScript now supports destructuring function parameters when the argument is an object. Two forms of destructuring table literals are available:
- **Curly-brace wrapped literals/object parameters**, allowing optional default values when fields are missing (e.g., `{:a, :b}`, `{a: a1 = 123}`).
- **Unwrapped simple table syntax**, starting with a sequence of key-value or shorthand bindings and continuing until another expression terminates it (e.g., `:a, b: b1, :c`). This form extracts multiple fields from the same object.
```yuescript
f1 = (:a, :b, :c) ->
print a, b, c
f1 a: 1, b: "2", c: {}
f2 = ({a: a1 = 123, :b = 'abc'}, c = {}) ->
print a1, b, c
arg1 = {a: 0}
f2 arg1, arg2
```
```yue
f1 = (:a, :b, :c) ->
print a, b, c
f1 a: 1, b: "2", c: {}
f2 = ({a: a1 = 123, :b = 'abc'}, c = {}) ->
print a1, b, c
arg1 = {a: 0}
f2 arg1, arg2
```
## Prefixed Return Expression
When working with deeply nested function bodies, it can be tedious to maintain readability and consistency of the return value. To address this, YueScript introduces the **Prefixed Return Expression** syntax. Its form is as follows:
```yuescript
findFirstEven = (list): nil ->
for item in *list
if type(item) == "table"
for sub in *item
if sub % 2 == 0
return sub
```
```yue
findFirstEven = (list): nil ->
for item in *list
if type(item) == "table"
for sub in *item
if sub % 2 == 0
return sub
```
This is equivalent to:
```yuescript
findFirstEven = (list) ->
for item in *list
if type(item) == "table"
for sub in *item
if sub % 2 == 0
return sub
nil
```
```yue
findFirstEven = (list) ->
for item in *list
if type(item) == "table"
for sub in *item
if sub % 2 == 0
return sub
nil
```
The only difference is that you can move the final return expression before the `->` or `=>` token to indicate the function’s implicit return value as the last statement. This way, even in functions with multiple nested loops or conditional branches, you no longer need to write a trailing return expression at the end of the function body, making the logic structure more straightforward and easier to follow.
## Named Varargs
You can use the `(...t) ->` syntax to automatically store varargs into a named table. This table will contain all passed arguments (including `nil` values), and the `n` field of the table will store the actual number of arguments passed (including `nil` values).
```yuescript
f = (...t) ->
print "argument count:", t.n
print "table length:", #t
for i = 1, t.n
print t[i]
f 1, 2, 3
f "a", "b", "c", "d"
f!
-- Handling cases with nil values
process = (...args) ->
sum = 0
for i = 1, args.n
if args[i] != nil and type(args[i]) == "number"
sum += args[i]
sum
process 1, nil, 3, nil, 5
```
```yue
f = (...t) ->
print "argument count:", t.n
print "table length:", #t
for i = 1, t.n
print t[i]
f 1, 2, 3
f "a", "b", "c", "d"
f!
-- Handling cases with nil values
process = (...args) ->
sum = 0
for i = 1, args.n
if args[i] != nil and type(args[i]) == "number"
sum += args[i]
sum
process 1, nil, 3, nil, 5
```
# Whitespace
YueScript is a whitespace significant language. You have to write some code block in the same indent with space **' '** or tab **'\t'** like function body, value list and some control blocks. And expressions containing different whitespaces might mean different things. Tab is treated like 4 space, but it's better not mix the use of spaces and tabs.
## Statement Separator
A statement normally ends at a line break. You can also use a semicolon `;` to explicitly terminate a statement, which allows writing multiple statements on the same line:
```yuescript
a = 1; b = 2; print a + b
```
```yue
a = 1; b = 2; print a + b
```
## Multiline Chaining
You can write multi-line chaining function calls with a same indent.
```yuescript
Rx.Observable
.fromRange 1, 8
\filter (x) -> x % 2 == 0
\concat Rx.Observable.of 'who do we appreciate'
\map (value) -> value .. '!'
\subscribe print
```
```yue
Rx.Observable
.fromRange 1, 8
\filter (x) -> x % 2 == 0
\concat Rx.Observable.of 'who do we appreciate'
\map (value) -> value .. '!'
\subscribe print
```
# Comment
```yuescript
-- I am a comment
str = --[[
This is a multi-line comment.
It's OK.
]] strA \ -- comment 1
.. strB \ -- comment 2
.. strC
func --[[port]] 3000, --[[ip]] "192.168.1.1"
```
```yue
-- I am a comment
str = --[[
This is a multi-line comment.
It's OK.
]] strA \ -- comment 1
.. strB \ -- comment 2
.. strC
func --[[port]] 3000, --[[ip]] "192.168.1.1"
```
# Attributes
Syntax support for Lua 5.4 attributes. And you can still use both the `const` and `close` declaration and get constant check and scoped callback working when targeting Lua versions below 5.4.
```yuescript
const a = 123
close _ = : -> print "Out of scope."
```
```yue
const a = 123
close _ = : -> print "Out of scope."
```
You can do desctructuring with variables attributed as constant.
```yuescript
const {:a, :b, c, d} = tb
-- a = 1
```
```yue
const {:a, :b, c, d} = tb
-- a = 1
```
You can also declare a global variable to be `const`.
```yuescript
global const Constant = 123
-- Constant = 1
```
```yue
global const Constant = 123
-- Constant = 1
```
# Operator
All of Lua's binary and unary operators are available. Additionally **!=** is as an alias for **~=**, and either **\\** or **::** can be used to write a chaining function call like `tb\func!` or `tb::func!`. And Yuescipt offers some other special operators to write more expressive codes.
```yuescript
tb\func! if tb ~= nil
tb::func! if tb != nil
```
```yue
tb\func! if tb ~= nil
tb::func! if tb != nil
```
## Chaining Comparisons
Comparisons can be arbitrarily chained:
```yuescript
print 1 < 2 <= 2 < 3 == 3 > 2 >= 1 == 1 < 3 != 5
-- output: true
a = 5
print 1 <= a <= 10
-- output: true
```
```yue
print 1 < 2 <= 2 < 3 == 3 > 2 >= 1 == 1 < 3 != 5
-- output: true
a = 5
print 1 <= a <= 10
-- output: true
```
Note the evaluation behavior of chained comparisons:
```yuescript
v = (x) ->
print x
x
print v(1) < v(2) <= v(3)
--[[
output:
2
1
3
true
]]
print v(1) > v(2) <= v(3)
--[[
output:
2
1
false
]]
```
```yue
v = (x) ->
print x
x
print v(1) < v(2) <= v(3)
--[[
output:
2
1
3
true
]]
print v(1) > v(2) <= v(3)
--[[
output:
2
1
false
]]
```
The middle expression is only evaluated once, rather than twice as it would be if the expression were written as `v(1) < v(2) and v(2) <= v(3)`. However, the order of evaluations in a chained comparison is undefined. It is strongly recommended not to use expressions with side effects (such as printing) in chained comparisons. If side effects are required, the short-circuit `and` operator should be used explicitly.
## Table Appending
The **[] =** operator is used to append values to tables.
```yuescript
tab = []
tab[] = "Value"
```
```yue
tab = []
tab[] = "Value"
```
You can also use the spread operator `...` to append all elements from one list to another:
```yuescript
tbA = [1, 2, 3]
tbB = [4, 5, 6]
tbA[] = ...tbB
-- tbA is now [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
```
```yue
tbA = [1, 2, 3]
tbB = [4, 5, 6]
tbA[] = ...tbB
-- tbA is now [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
```
## Table Spreading
You can concatenate array tables or hash tables using spread operator `...` before expressions in table literals.
```yuescript
parts =
* "shoulders"
* "knees"
lyrics =
* "head"
* ...parts
* "and"
* "toes"
copy = {...other}
a = {1, 2, 3, x: 1}
b = {4, 5, y: 1}
merge = {...a, ...b}
```
```yue
parts =
* "shoulders"
* "knees"
lyrics =
* "head"
* ...parts
* "and"
* "toes"
copy = {...other}
a = {1, 2, 3, x: 1}
b = {4, 5, y: 1}
merge = {...a, ...b}
```
## Table Reversed Indexing
You can use the **#** operator to get the last elements of a table.
```yuescript
last = data.items[#]
second_last = data.items[#-1]
data.items[#] = 1
```
```yue
last = data.items[#]
second_last = data.items[#-1]
data.items[#] = 1
```
## Metatable
The **<>** operator can be used as a shortcut for metatable manipulation.
### Metatable Creation
Create normal table with empty bracekets **<>** or metamethod key which is surrounded by **<>**.
```yuescript
mt = {}
add = (right) => <>: mt, value: @value + right.value
mt.__add = add
a = <>: mt, value: 1
-- set field with variable of the same name
b = :, value: 2
c = : mt.__add, value: 3
d = a + b + c
print d.value
close _ = : -> print "out of scope"
```
```yue
mt = {}
add = (right) => <>: mt, value: @value + right.value
mt.__add = add
a = <>: mt, value: 1
-- set field with variable of the same name
b = :, value: 2
c = : mt.__add, value: 3
d = a + b + c
print d.value
close _ = : -> print "out of scope"
```
### Metatable Accessing
Accessing metatable with **<>** or metamethod name surrounded by **<>** or writing some expression in **<>**.
```yuescript
-- create with metatable containing field "value"
tb = <"value">: 123
tb. = tb.<>
print tb.value
tb.<> = __index: {item: "hello"}
print tb.item
```
```yue
-- create with metatable containing field "value"
tb = <"value">: 123
tb. = tb.<>
print tb.value
tb.<> = __index: {item: "hello"}
print tb.item
```
### Metatable Destructure
Destruct metatable with metamethod key surrounded by **<>**.
```yuescript
{item, :new, :, : getter} = tb
print item, new, close, getter
```
```yue
{item, :new, :, : getter} = tb
print item, new, close, getter
```
## Existence
The **?** operator can be used in a variety of contexts to check for existence.
```yuescript
func?!
print abc?["hello world"]?.xyz
x = tab?.value
len = utf8?.len or string?.len or (o) -> #o
if print and x?
print x
with? io.open "test.txt", "w"
\write "hello"
\close!
```
```yue
func?!
print abc?["hello world"]?.xyz
x = tab?.value
len = utf8?.len or string?.len or (o) -> #o
if print and x?
print x
with? io.open "test.txt", "w"
\write "hello"
\close!
```
## Piping
Instead of a series of nested function calls, you can pipe values with operator **|>**.
```yuescript
"hello" |> print
1 |> print 2 -- insert pipe item as the first argument
2 |> print 1, _, 3 -- pipe with a placeholder
-- pipe expression in multiline
readFile "example.txt"
|> extract language, {}
|> parse language
|> emit
|> render
|> print
```
```yue
"hello" |> print
1 |> print 2 -- insert pipe item as the first argument
2 |> print 1, _, 3 -- pipe with a placeholder
-- pipe expression in multiline
readFile "example.txt"
|> extract language, {}
|> parse language
|> emit
|> render
|> print
```
## Nil Coalescing
The nil-coalescing operator **??** returns the value of its left-hand operand if it isn't **nil**; otherwise, it evaluates the right-hand operand and returns its result. The **??** operator doesn't evaluate its right-hand operand if the left-hand operand evaluates to non-nil.
```yuescript
local a, b, c, d
a = b ?? c ?? d
func a ?? {}
a ??= false
```
```yue
local a, b, c, d
a = b ?? c ?? d
func a ?? {}
a ??= false
```
## Implicit Object
You can write a list of implicit structures that starts with the symbol **\*** or **-** inside a table block. If you are creating implicit object, the fields of the object must be with the same indent.
```yuescript
-- assignment with implicit object
list =
* 1
* 2
* 3
-- function call with implicit object
func
* 1
* 2
* 3
-- return with implicit object
f = ->
return
* 1
* 2
* 3
-- table with implicit object
tb =
name: "abc"
values:
- "a"
- "b"
- "c"
objects:
- name: "a"
value: 1
func: => @value + 1
tb:
fieldA: 1
- name: "b"
value: 2
func: => @value + 2
tb: { }
```
```yue
-- assignment with implicit object
list =
* 1
* 2
* 3
-- function call with implicit object
func
* 1
* 2
* 3
-- return with implicit object
f = ->
return
* 1
* 2
* 3
-- table with implicit object
tb =
name: "abc"
values:
- "a"
- "b"
- "c"
objects:
- name: "a"
value: 1
func: => @value + 1
tb:
fieldA: 1
- name: "b"
value: 2
func: => @value + 2
tb: { }
```
# Literals
All of the primitive literals in Lua can be used. This applies to numbers, strings, booleans, and **nil**.
Unlike Lua, Line breaks are allowed inside of single and double quote strings without an escape sequence:
```yuescript
some_string = "Here is a string
that has a line break in it."
-- You can mix expressions into string literals using #{} syntax.
-- String interpolation is only available in double quoted strings.
print "I am #{math.random! * 100}% sure."
```
```yue
some_string = "Here is a string
that has a line break in it."
-- You can mix expressions into string literals using #{} syntax.
-- String interpolation is only available in double quoted strings.
print "I am #{math.random! * 100}% sure."
```
## Number Literals
You can use underscores in a number literal to increase readability.
```yuescript
integer = 1_000_000
hex = 0xEF_BB_BF
binary = 0B10011
```
```yue
integer = 1_000_000
hex = 0xEF_BB_BF
binary = 0B10011
```
## YAML Multiline String
The `|` prefix introduces a YAML-style multiline string literal:
```yuescript
str = |
key: value
list:
- item1
- #{expr}
```
```yue
str = |
key: value
list:
- item1
- #{expr}
```
This allows writing structured multiline text conveniently. All line breaks and indentation are preserved relative to the first non-empty line, and expressions inside `#{...}` are interpolated automatically as `tostring(expr)`.
YAML Multiline String automatically detects the common leading whitespace prefix (minimum indentation across all non-empty lines) and removes it from all lines. This makes it easy to indent your code visually without affecting the resulting string content.
```yuescript
fn = ->
str = |
foo:
bar: baz
return str
```
```yue
fn = ->
str = |
foo:
bar: baz
return str
```
Internal indentation is preserved relative to the removed common prefix, allowing clean nested structures.
All special characters like quotes (`"`) and backslashes (`\`) in the YAMLMultiline block are automatically escaped so that the generated Lua string is syntactically valid and behaves as expected.
```yuescript
str = |
path: "C:\Program Files\App"
note: 'He said: "#{Hello}!"'
```
```yue
str = |
path: "C:\Program Files\App"
note: 'He said: "#{Hello}!"'
```
# Module
## Import
The import statement is a syntax sugar for requiring a module or help extracting items from an imported module. The imported items are const by default.
```yuescript
-- used as table destructuring
do
import insert, concat from table
-- report error when assigning to insert, concat
import C, Ct, Cmt from require "lpeg"
-- shortcut for implicit requiring
import x, y, z from 'mymodule'
-- import with Python style
from 'module' import a, b, c
-- shortcut for requring a module
do
import 'module'
import 'module_x'
import "d-a-s-h-e-s"
import "module.part"
-- requring module with aliasing or table destructuring
do
import "player" as PlayerModule
import "lpeg" as :C, :Ct, :Cmt
import "export" as {one, two, Something:{umm:{ch}}}
```
```yue
-- used as table destructuring
do
import insert, concat from table
-- report error when assigning to insert, concat
import C, Ct, Cmt from require "lpeg"
-- shortcut for implicit requiring
import x, y, z from 'mymodule'
-- import with Python style
from 'module' import a, b, c
-- shortcut for requring a module
do
import 'module'
import 'module_x'
import "d-a-s-h-e-s"
import "module.part"
-- requring module with aliasing or table destructuring
do
import "player" as PlayerModule
import "lpeg" as :C, :Ct, :Cmt
import "export" as {one, two, Something:{umm:{ch}}}
```
## Import Global
You can import specific globals into local variables with `import`. When importing a chain of global variable accessings, the last field will be assigned to the local variable.
```yuescript
do
import tostring
import table.concat
print concat ["a", tostring 1]
```
```yue
do
import tostring
import table.concat
print concat ["a", tostring 1]
```
### Automatic Global Variable Import
You can place `import global` at the top of a block to automatically import all names that have not been explicitly declared or assigned in the current scope as globals. These implicit imports are treated as local consts that reference the corresponding globals at the position of the statement.
Names that are explicitly declared as globals in the same scope will not be imported, so you can still assign to them.
```yuescript
do
import global
print "hello"
math.random 3
-- print = nil -- error: imported globals are const
do
-- explicit global variable will not be imported
import global
global FLAG
print FLAG
FLAG = 123
```
```yue
do
import global
print "hello"
math.random 3
-- print = nil -- error: imported globals are const
do
-- explicit global variable will not be imported
import global
global FLAG
print FLAG
FLAG = 123
```
## Export
The export statement offers a concise way to define modules.
### Named Export
Named export will define a local variable as well as adding a field in the exported table.
```yuescript
export a, b, c = 1, 2, 3
export cool = "cat"
export What = if this
"abc"
else
"def"
export y = ->
hallo = 3434
export class Something
umm: "cool"
```
```yue
export a, b, c = 1, 2, 3
export cool = "cat"
export What = if this
"abc"
else
"def"
export y = ->
hallo = 3434
export class Something
umm: "cool"
```
Doing named export with destructuring.
```yuescript
export :loadstring, to_lua: tolua = yue
export {itemA: {:fieldA = 'default'}} = tb
```
```yue
export :loadstring, to_lua: tolua = yue
export {itemA: {:fieldA = 'default'}} = tb
```
Export named items from module without creating local variables.
```yuescript
export.itemA = tb
export. = items
export["a-b-c"] = 123
```
```yue
export.itemA = tb
export. = items
export["a-b-c"] = 123
```
### Unnamed Export
Unnamed export will add the target item into the array part of the exported table.
```yuescript
d, e, f = 3, 2, 1
export d, e, f
export if this
123
else
456
export with tmp
j = 2000
```
```yue
d, e, f = 3, 2, 1
export d, e, f
export if this
123
else
456
export with tmp
j = 2000
```
### Default Export
Using the **default** keyword in export statement to replace the exported table with any thing.
```yuescript
export default ->
print "hello"
123
```
```yue
export default ->
print "hello"
123
```
# License: MIT
Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Li Jin \
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.
# The YueScript Library
Access it by `local yue = require("yue")` in Lua.
## yue
**Description:**
The YueScript language library.
### version
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The YueScript version.
**Signature:**
```lua
version: string
```
### dirsep
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The file separator for the current platform.
**Signature:**
```lua
dirsep: string
```
### yue_compiled
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The compiled module code cache.
**Signature:**
```lua
yue_compiled: {string: string}
```
### to_lua
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
The YueScript compiling function. It compiles the YueScript code to Lua code.
**Signature:**
```lua
to_lua: function(code: string, config?: Config):
--[[codes]] string | nil,
--[[error]] string | nil,
--[[globals]] {{string, integer, integer}} | nil
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| code | string | The YueScript code. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| string \| nil | The compiled Lua code, or nil if the compilation failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the compilation succeeded. |
| {{string, integer, integer}} \| nil | The global variables appearing in the code (with name, row and column), or nil if the compiler option `lint_global` is false. |
### file_exist
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
The source file existence checking function. Can be overridden to customize the behavior.
**Signature:**
```lua
file_exist: function(filename: string): boolean
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------- |
| filename | string | The file name. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ------------------------ |
| boolean | Whether the file exists. |
### read_file
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
The source file reading function. Can be overridden to customize the behavior.
**Signature:**
```lua
read_file: function(filename: string): string
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------- |
| filename | string | The file name. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ----------------- |
| string | The file content. |
### insert_loader
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Insert the YueScript loader to the package loaders (searchers).
**Signature:**
```lua
insert_loader: function(pos?: integer): boolean
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| pos | integer | [Optional] The position to insert the loader. Default is 3. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| boolean | Whether the loader is inserted successfully. It will fail if the loader is already inserted. |
### remove_loader
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Remove the YueScript loader from the package loaders (searchers).
**Signature:**
```lua
remove_loader: function(): boolean
```
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| boolean | Whether the loader is removed successfully. It will fail if the loader is not inserted. |
### loadstring
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a string into a function.
**Signature:**
```lua
loadstring: function(input: string, chunkname: string, env: table, config?: Config):
--[[loaded function]] nil | function(...: any): (any...),
--[[error]] string | nil
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| input | string | The YueScript code. |
| chunkname | string | The name of the code chunk. |
| env | table | The environment table. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| function \| nil | The loaded function, or nil if the loading failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the loading succeeded. |
### loadstring
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a string into a function.
**Signature:**
```lua
loadstring: function(input: string, chunkname: string, config?: Config):
--[[loaded function]] nil | function(...: any): (any...),
--[[error]] string | nil
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| input | string | The YueScript code. |
| chunkname | string | The name of the code chunk. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| function \| nil | The loaded function, or nil if the loading failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the loading succeeded. |
### loadstring
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a string into a function.
**Signature:**
```lua
loadstring: function(input: string, config?: Config):
--[[loaded function]] nil | function(...: any): (any...),
--[[error]] string | nil
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| input | string | The YueScript code. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| function \| nil | The loaded function, or nil if the loading failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the loading succeeded. |
### loadfile
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a file into a function.
**Signature:**
```lua
loadfile: function(filename: string, env: table, config?: Config):
nil | function(...: any): (any...),
string | nil
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| filename | string | The file name. |
| env | table | The environment table. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| function \| nil | The loaded function, or nil if the loading failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the loading succeeded. |
### loadfile
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a file into a function.
**Signature:**
```lua
loadfile: function(filename: string, config?: Config):
nil | function(...: any): (any...),
string | nil
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| filename | string | The file name. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| function \| nil | The loaded function, or nil if the loading failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the loading succeeded. |
### dofile
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a file into a function and executes it.
**Signature:**
```lua
dofile: function(filename: string, env: table, config?: Config): any...
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| filename | string | The file name. |
| env | table | The environment table. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| any... | The return values of the loaded function. |
### dofile
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads YueScript code from a file into a function and executes it.
**Signature:**
```lua
dofile: function(filename: string, config?: Config): any...
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | -------------------------------- |
| filename | string | The file name. |
| config | Config | [Optional] The compiler options. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| any... | The return values of the loaded function. |
### find_modulepath
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Resolves the YueScript module name to the file path.
**Signature:**
```lua
find_modulepath: function(name: string): string
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | ---------------- |
| name | string | The module name. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | -------------- |
| string | The file path. |
### pcall
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Calls a function in protected mode.
Catches any errors and returns a status code and results or error object.
Rewrites the error line number to the original line number in the YueScript code when errors occur.
**Signature:**
```lua
pcall: function(f: function, ...: any): boolean, any...
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | -------- | ---------------------------------- |
| f | function | The function to call. |
| ... | any | Arguments to pass to the function. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------- |
| boolean, ... | Status code and function results or error object. |
### require
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Loads a given module. Can be either a Lua module or a YueScript module.
Rewrites the error line number to the original line number in the YueScript code if the module is a YueScript module and loading fails.
**Signature:**
```lua
require: function(name: string): any...
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | ------------------------------- |
| modname | string | The name of the module to load. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| any | The value stored at package.loaded[modname] if the module is already loaded.Otherwise, tries to find a loader and returns the final value of package.loaded[modname] and a loader data as a second result. |
### p
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Inspects the structures of the passed values and prints string representations.
**Signature:**
```lua
p: function(...: any)
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ---- | ---------------------- |
| ... | any | The values to inspect. |
### options
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The current compiler options.
**Signature:**
```lua
options: Config.Options
```
### traceback
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
The traceback function that rewrites the stack trace line numbers to the original line numbers in the YueScript code.
**Signature:**
```lua
traceback: function(message: string): string
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | ---------------------- |
| message | string | The traceback message. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | -------------------------------- |
| string | The rewritten traceback message. |
### is_ast
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Checks whether the code matches the specified AST.
**Signature:**
```lua
is_ast: function(astName: string, code: string): boolean
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | ------------- |
| astName | string | The AST name. |
| code | string | The code. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | --------------------------------- |
| boolean | Whether the code matches the AST. |
### AST
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The AST type definition with name, row, column and sub nodes.
**Signature:**
```lua
type AST = {string, integer, integer, any}
```
### to_ast
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Converts the code to the AST.
**Signature:**
```lua
to_ast: function(code: string, flattenLevel?: number, astName?: string, reserveComment?: boolean):
--[[AST]] AST | nil,
--[[error]] nil | string
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| -------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| code | string | The code. |
| flattenLevel | integer | [Optional] The flatten level. Higher level means more flattening. Default is 0. Maximum is 2. |
| astName | string | [Optional] The AST name. Default is "File". |
| reserveComment | boolean | [Optional] Whether to reserve the original comments. Default is false. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| AST \| nil | The AST, or nil if the conversion failed. |
| string \| nil | The error message, or nil if the conversion succeeded. |
### format
**Type:** Function.
**Description:**
Formats the YueScript code.
**Signature:**
```lua
format: function(code: string, tabSize?: number, reserveComment?: boolean): string
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| -------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| code | string | The code. |
| tabSize | integer | [Optional] The tab size. Default is 4. |
| reserveComment | boolean | [Optional] Whether to reserve the original comments. Default is true. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ------------------- |
| string | The formatted code. |
### \_\_call
**Type:** Metamethod.
**Description:**
Requires the YueScript module.
Rewrites the error line number to the original line number in the YueScript code when loading fails.
**Signature:**
```lua
metamethod __call: function(self: yue, module: string): any...
```
**Parameters:**
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --------- | ------ | ---------------- |
| module | string | The module name. |
**Returns:**
| Return Type | Description |
| ----------- | ----------------- |
| any | The module value. |
## Config
**Description:**
The compiler compile options.
### lint_global
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler should collect the global variables appearing in the code.
**Signature:**
```lua
lint_global: boolean
```
### implicit_return_root
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler should do an implicit return for the root code block.
**Signature:**
```lua
implicit_return_root: boolean
```
### reserve_line_number
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler should reserve the original line number in the compiled code.
**Signature:**
```lua
reserve_line_number: boolean
```
### reserve_comment
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler should reserve the original comments in the compiled code.
**Signature:**
```lua
reserve_comment: boolean
```
### space_over_tab
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler should use the space character instead of the tab character in the compiled code.
**Signature:**
```lua
space_over_tab: boolean
```
### same_module
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler should treat the code to be compiled as the same currently being compiled module. For internal use only.
**Signature:**
```lua
same_module: boolean
```
### line_offset
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether the compiler error message should include the line number offset. For internal use only.
**Signature:**
```lua
line_offset: integer
```
### yue.Config.LuaTarget
**Type:** Enumeration.
**Description:**
The target Lua version enumeration.
**Signature:**
```lua
enum LuaTarget
"5.1"
"5.2"
"5.3"
"5.4"
"5.5"
end
```
### options
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The extra options to be passed to the compilation function.
**Signature:**
```lua
options: Options
```
## Options
**Description:**
The extra compiler options definition.
### target
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The target Lua version for the compilation.
**Signature:**
```lua
target: LuaTarget
```
### path
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
The extra module search path.
**Signature:**
```lua
path: string
```
### dump_locals
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether to dump the local variables in the traceback error message. Default is false.
**Signature:**
```lua
dump_locals: boolean
```
### simplified
**Type:** Field.
**Description:**
Whether to simplify the error message. Default is true.
**Signature:**
```lua
simplified: boolean
```