Language Reference

The language reference describes the core language features of Pointless. The reference is divided into chapters, each covering the syntax, semantics, and use of a part of the language. Use the links below to view each chapter. For information on the language's built-in functions, see the standard library docs.

Reading Example Code

Most code samples, like the example below, show the values generated by the code, including:

• Any printed values
• The value of each top-level expression (except for calls to Console functions)
• If the final statement is a variable definition, the value of the variable

word = "time"
print(word)

"what $word is it?"
"$word to get a watch."

backwards = reverse(word)

time
"what time is it?"
"time to get a watch."

backwards =
"emit"

• Comments Comment syntax, comments as documentation, and commenting out code
• Variables Defining, accessing, and updating variables
• Printing and User Input Printing values and getting user input in the console
• Numbers Numbers and numerical operators
• Booleans Boolean (true and false) values and logical operators
• None The none value and its uses
• Strings Strings (pieces of text), string interpolation, and string operators
• Lists null
• Objects null
• Sets null
• Tables null
• Equality When are values considered equal
• Immutability null
• Conditionals If and match expressions, running code based on one or more conditions
• Function Definitions null
• Pipelines null
• Loops For and while loops, running code iteratively (multiple times)
• Async Write concurrent code
• Imports and Exports null
• Best Practices Guidelines for writing clear and concise Pointless code
• Miscellaneous null