Google New Programming Language: Carbon

Carbon is a new programming language created by Google, it became announced in July 2022 and is predicted to have its first reputable release, version 1.0, in 2024 or 2025.

The essential concept at the back of Carbon is to make programming less difficult for developers even as maintaining excessive overall performance and scalability.

One of Carbon’s desires is to be a successor to the extensively used C++ language.

It is designed to work nicely with present C++ code and to provide a clean transition for developers who already know C++.

This means that Carbon can work together with C++ code, and you can include C++ code within your Carbon files.

The language is open-source, which means that the source code is freely available for anyone to use and contribute to.

It is hosted on GitHub under the Apache-2.0 license with LLVM Exceptions, which lets others adjust and distribute the language.

Although Carbon Google is New Programming Language is still experimental and subject to change, you could download the source code and test it on your own in case you’re interested in learning more about it.

There are also documents, design specifications, and related tools available on GitHub to help you understand and work with Carbon.

Main features of the Carbon programming language

Readability

One of the primary goals of Carbon is to make code easy to read and understand.

This means that developers can write code more clearly, making it easier for themselves and others to comprehend and maintain.

Bi-Directional Interoperability:

Carbon allows you to include C++ code within Carbon files.

This feature enables smooth integration with existing C++ codebases, making it easier to migrate and adopt Carbon gradually.

Modern Programming Practices

Carbon incorporates modern programming practices and concepts.

It embraces the latest trends and best practices in software development, allowing developers to write code more efficiently and effectively.

Support for C++

Carbon is designed to be a successor to C++.

It is built with compatibility in mind, enabling seamless integration with C++ code.

This feature ensures that existing C++ developers can leverage their knowledge and skills when transitioning to Carbon.

Interoperability

Carbon emphasizes interoperability, which means it can work well with other programming languages and existing codebases.

This compatibility enables developers to combine different technologies and leverage the strengths of each to build powerful applications.

Memory Safety

Carbon puts a strong focus on memory safety, which helps prevent common memory-related bugs and errors.

By providing memory safety features, Carbon aims to make programming safer and more reliable.

Generics

Carbon supports generics, which is a powerful feature that allows code to be written generically, making it more reusable and flexible.

Generics enable developers to write code that can work with different types of data, providing greater flexibility in their programs.

Fast and Scalable

Carbon is designed to be fast and scalable in development.

It aims to provide efficient execution and performance while supporting the development of large-scale applications.

Platform Compatibility

Carbon is built to support all modern operating systems (OS) platforms and environments.

This means that developers can use Carbon to build applications for various devices, including computers, mobile devices, and more.

Syntax Similar to C++

The syntax of Carbon is similar to that of C++ and other similar programming languages. This similarity makes it easier for C++ developers to transition to Carbon and start using the language quickly.

// hello_world.carbon
.carbon
import std.io;
fn main() -> i32 {
    io.println("Hello, world!");
    return 0;
}

// numeric_variables.carbon
.carbon
import std.io;
fn main() -> i32 {
    let a: i32 = 42;
    let b: f64 = 3.14;
    io.println(a);
    io.println(b);
    return 0;
}

// conditional_control_flow.carbon
.carbon
import std.io;
fn main() -> i32 {
    let a: i32 = 42;
    if a > 0 {
        io.println("a is positive");
    } else if a < 0 {
        io.println("a is negative");
    } else {
        io.println("a is zero");
    }
    return 0;
}

// loop.carbon
.carbon
import std.io;
fn main() -> i32 {
    let mut i: i32 = 0;
    while i < 10 {
        io.println(i);
        i += 1;
    }
    return 0;
}