{"id":13610987,"url":"https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull","last_synced_at":"2026-05-30T23:02:51.595Z","repository":{"id":36987078,"uuid":"387056404","full_name":"nim-works/nimskull","owner":"nim-works","description":"An in development statically typed systems programming language; with sustainability at its core. 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id=\"top\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nim-lang/assets/master/Art/logo-crown.png\" height=\"80px\"/\u003e\n  \u003c/a\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 align=\"center\"\u003eNimskull\u003c/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n    The Nimskull compiler, stdlib, tools, and documentation repository.\n    \u003cbr /\u003e\n    \u003cbr /\u003e\n    \u003ca href=\"https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/blob/devel/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md\"\u003eCode of Conduct\u003c/a\u003e\n    ·\n    \u003ca href=\"https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/blob/devel/ETHOS.md\"\u003eCode of Ethics\u003c/a\u003e\n    ·\n    \u003ca href=\"https://nim-works.github.io/nimskull/index.html\"\u003eDocumentation\u003c/a\u003e\n  \u003c/p\u003e\n\n[![Matrix](https://img.shields.io/badge/matrix-nim--works-success?style=flat\u0026logo=matrix)][nim-works-matrix]\n[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-nim--works-success?style=flat\u0026logo=discord)][nim-works-discord]\n[![IRC](https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-%23nimworks%20on%20libera.chat-brightgreen?style=flat)](https://web.libera.chat/#nimworks)\n[![IRC #nimworks-dev](https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-%23nimworks--dev%20on%20libera.chat-brightgreen?style=flat)](https://web.libera.chat/#nimworks-dev)\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nThis repository contains the Nimskull compiler, stdlib, tools, and documentation.\n\n## About the Project\n\nNimskull (temporary name) is a *statically typed* *structured* programming\nlanguage to create software (itself included) that is sustainable, it aims to be:\n\n- *Safe:* statically typed, nil safe, with structured approach to resources and\n  concurrency\n- *Scalable:* target a variety of hardware architectures, with zero or low cost\n  abstractions to run in constrained environments.\n- *Adaptable:* producing native executables, running via the built-in VM, or\n  using a JS runtime.\n- *Evolving:* developed and maintained by its community of users, with a self-\n  hosted compiler, support for metaprogramming to safely attempt language\n  extension outside of the core, and support code migration to avoid legacy.\n\nThe project was started as a fork of [Nim][nim-site] as it provides a bootstrapped\ncompiler as a starting point. The overall language will be evolved into something\nentirely different and incompatible.\n\nWe are currently working on the first phase of this, by slimming down the\nlanguage and compiler to a workable core and increasing compiler development\nproductivity. The following phase will starting with one of the following\npossible features:\n- Introduce Continuation Passing Style transform and Structured Concurrency\n  into the language, this will undoubtedly lead to dramatic changes in memory\n  management and FFI\n- Ease Data Oriented Design through memory regions to support the common handle\n  instead of reference approach\n\n## Near-Term Development\n\n![](./doc/fixup_roadmap.png)\n\nFor updates on the progress refer to the [milestones](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/milestones).\nThe current ones are used as a way to track progress on a topic, rather than\nfor representing fixed milestones. The old, out-of-date thread about roadmap\nprogress can be found [here](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/discussions/142?sort=new).\n\nThe current and key areas of development are as follows:\n\n1. decouple the data types used by the different compilation stages\n2. simplify the code generators - perform much of the transformation and lowering\n   via passes over the mid-end IR ([Project](https://github.com/orgs/nim-works/projects/12))\n3. improve tests - core specification as tests (see `slim the core` below).\n   Reorganize existing tests. ([Project](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/projects/2))\n4. nkError/tyError/skerror - replace `localError` etc approach with an AST\n   (`nkError`) one ([Project](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/projects/1))\n5. comments - incrementally document compiler source for easier learning\n6. slim the core - remove dialects, backwards compatibility, etc ([Discussion](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/discussions/289))\n\nThere are more, the above have been carefully chosen based on the direction of\nthe language; moreover, their impact goes beyond what's been described and\nintends to create a virtuous cycle. Examples:\n\n* clarifying the language specification will identify bugs and design flaws that\n  in turn will be fixed.\n* moving decision making out of the code generators will make behaviour of the\n  backends consistent with each other\n* changes introduced via nkError result in more pure code (`func`) as control-\n  flow and effects are no longer intertwined; lead to bug and language\n  design fixes due to a broad audit, ease compiler as a library usage for tools\n\n\u003cp align=\"right\"\u003e(\u003ca href=\"#top\"\u003eback to top\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n## Community\n\nCurrently, this repository and our [matrix/irc][nim-works-matrix] are our primary community hubs; we'll introduce more as things grow. At this time our community is small but\npassionate We welcome any who are able and eager to collaborate on improving the compiler and associated tools.\n\nCheck the [FAQ](#FAQ), or [Project Board](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/projects) for an idea of where to help.\n\nThere's plenty to be done, and we appreciate even the smallest contribution to\ndocumentation! We look forward to seeing introductions and pull requests!\n\n\u003cp align=\"right\"\u003e(\u003ca href=\"#top\"\u003eback to top\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n## Compiling\n\nThe compiler currently aims to support the following platform and\narchitecture combinations:\n\n  * Linux (most, if not all, distributions) - x86, x86_64, ppc64 and armv6l\n  * Mac OS X (10.04 or greater) - x86, x86_64, ppc64 and Apple Silicon (based on the ARM64 architecture)\n  * Windows (Windows XP or later) - x86 and x86_64\n\nOther platforms may work but aren't regularly tested.\n\nCompiling the compiler is quite straightforward if you follow these steps:\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eShow\u003c/summary\u003e\n  \u003cbr /\u003e\n\nTo build from source you will need:\n\n  * A C compiler such as ``gcc`` 3.x/later or an alternative such as ``clang``,\n    ``Visual C++`` or ``Intel C++``. It is recommended to use ``gcc`` 3.x or\n    later.\n  * Either ``git`` or ``wget`` to download the needed source repositories.\n  * The ``build-essential`` package when using ``gcc`` on Ubuntu (and likely\n    other distros as well).\n  * On Windows MinGW 4.3.0 (GCC 8.10) is the minimum recommended compiler.\n  * Nim hosts a known working MinGW distribution:\n    * [MinGW32.7z](https://nim-lang.org/download/mingw32.7z)\n    * [MinGW64.7z](https://nim-lang.org/download/mingw64.7z)\n\n**Windows Note: Cygwin and similar POSIX runtime environments are not supported.**\n\nThen, if you are on a \\*nix system or Windows, the following steps should compile\nNimskull from source using ``gcc``, ``git``, and the ``koch`` build tool.\n\n```bash\ngit clone https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull.git\ncd nimskull\n./koch.py boot -d:release\n./koch.py tools -d:release\n```\n\nFinally, once you have finished the build steps (on Windows, Mac, or Linux) you\nshould add the ``bin`` directory to your PATH.\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\n\n\u003cp align=\"right\"\u003e(\u003ca href=\"#top\"\u003eback to top\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n## Contributing\n\nContributing is simplified thanks to our [contribution guide](https://nim-works.github.io/nimskull/contributing.html).\nRight now, the easiest and most important contribution is test suite improvement, also\n[described](https://nim-works.github.io/nimskull/contributing.html#writing-or-improving-tests) in the guide.\n\n## Koch\n\n``koch`` is the build tool used to build various parts of Nim and to generate\ndocumentation, among other things. The ``koch`` tool can also\nbe used to run the Nim test suite.\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eShow\u003c/summary\u003e\n\nYou may execute the tests using ``./koch.py tests``. The tests take a while to\nrun, but you can run a subset of tests by specifying a category (for example\n``./koch.py tests cat lang``).\n\nFor more information on the ``koch`` build tool please see the documentation\nwithin the [doc/koch.rst](doc/koch.rst) file.\n\n\u003cp align=\"right\"\u003e(\u003ca href=\"#top\"\u003eback to top\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\n\n## Direction\n\nA language (community, compiler, etc) that is *sustained* through the\n*collective* efforts of its practitioners and their *diverse* backgrounds.\n\nAttracting practitioners with diversity of experience and perspectives\nrequires a language with broad applicability, from *Web* to *Systems*\n*Programming* all the while remaining *efficient*.\n\nOnboarding practitioners requires a language that is familiar enough to get\nstarted in terms of syntax and initial concepts such as *structured and*\n*modular programming*.\n\nSupporting practitioner-driven innovation requires a language that allows for\nexperimentation without necessarily being an expert in all aspects of language\ndevelopment. Compile time facilities integrated into the language, such as\n*compile time evaluation* and a *macro system* provide an extension sandbox.\n\nPractitioner collaborating and combining their software is assisted by a\n*static type system* that supports local inference, tuples, sum, and generic types,\nalong with effect analysis.\n\nA language that develops in such a manner is going to encounter what some might\nterm as 'instability' via numerous backwards incompatible changes.\nWe consider this a feature, instead we:\n* favour designs (language or API) that are resilient in the face of change\n* employ tools that automatically migrate legacy code or assist in migration\n* not cement poor choices and be honest that we can't make such guarantees\n\nPopular languages are maintained through incredible amounts of funding from\nvarious entities; we do not see, nor seek, this happening for us.\nAlternatively, there are a number of languages that require unhealthy amounts\nof free labour from a few, we're not interested in that either. Instead as is\ndescribed this language will focus on practitioners able to affect their tools\nand community.\n\n\u003cp align=\"right\"\u003e(\u003ca href=\"#top\"\u003eback to top\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n## FAQ\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class\"blue\"\u003eWhy start with Nim?\u003c/summary\u003e\n\u003c/br\u003e\n\nIt's convenient. Creating a compiler from scratch is labour intensive and the\nexisting contributors are already familiar with the current code base. We chose\nto evolve it.\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"blue\"\u003eWill this break my Nim code?\u003c/summary\u003e\n\u003c/br\u003e\n\nThis project aims to become a different programming language, if you want Nim go use that.\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"blue\"\u003eCan I help somehow?\u003c/summary\u003e\n\u003c/br\u003e\n\nThere is lots to do, and we're very interested in people contributing to the compiler.\nFirst step is getting a development environment setup, then join the\n[matrix chat][nim-works-matrix] and introduce yourself. It's a small community so time\nzones might not align, so please be patient.\n\nWe're presently reworking much of the compiler, removing dialects and half-baked\nfeatures to end up with a slim down core. Some areas of contribution:\n\n- [reworking the internal error handling](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/projects)\n- improving the compiler internal [debugging and tracing tools](https://nim-works.github.io/nimskull/debug.html)\n- [\"language spec as tests\" effort](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/projects/2)\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary class=\"blue\"\u003eAny chat room on matrix/irc/discord?\u003c/summary\u003e\n\u003c/br\u003e\n\nYes! Feel free to join us on our [nim-works channel][nim-works-matrix] or [nim.works discord server][nim-works-discord]! Please have a read of our [Code of Conduct](https://github.com/nim-works/nimskull/blob/devel/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).\n\n\u003c/details\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"right\"\u003e(\u003ca href=\"#top\"\u003eback to top\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n## License\nMIT\n\n[nim-site]: https://nim-lang.org\n[csources-v1-repo]: https://github.com/nim-works/csources_v1\n[nim-works-matrix]: https://matrix.to/#/#space:nim.works?client=element.io\u0026via=matrix.org\u0026via=envs.net\u0026via=nim.works\n[nim-works-discord]: https://discord.gg/sNBG9E2zbB\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fnim-works%2Fnimskull","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fnim-works%2Fnimskull","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fnim-works%2Fnimskull/lists"}