# ANSI INCITS 226 > technical standard **Wikidata**: [Q107924856](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107924856) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ansi-incits-226 ## Summary ANSI INCITS 226 is a technical standard that defines the specifications for the Common Lisp programming language. It is the successor to the earlier standard ANSI X3.226 and is maintained by the Common Lisp committee (J13). The standard serves as the formal definition for the language, providing the rules for syntax, semantics, and execution models used by machines. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type:** Technical standard and programming language. - **Predecessor:** Replaces the prior standard **ANSI X3.226**. - **Subject:** Defines the **Common Lisp** programming language. - **Governing Body:** Developed by the **Common Lisp committee**, designated as **J13**. - **Related Resource:** Has an edition or translation known as the **Common Lisp HyperSpec**. - **Core Function:** Serves as a formal language for communicating instructions to a machine. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary purpose of ANSI INCITS 226? A: ANSI INCITS 226 acts as the formal technical standard for the Common Lisp programming language. It provides the structured definition necessary for developers to write code that controls computer behavior and executes tasks consistently across different systems. ### Q: Which committee is responsible for this standard? A: The standard is maintained by the Common Lisp committee, which is identified as J13. This body oversees the specifications and evolution of the language standard. ### Q: How does this standard relate to the Common Lisp HyperSpec? A: The Common Lisp HyperSpec is considered an edition or translation of the ANSI INCITS 226 standard. It serves as a widely used digital resource derived from the official technical specifications. ### Q: What previous standard did ANSI INCITS 226 replace? A: ANSI INCITS 226 replaces the older standard known as ANSI X3.226. ## Why It Matters ANSI INCITS 226 is significant because it provides the authoritative specification for Common Lisp, a powerful language known for its flexibility and use in artificial intelligence and complex computation. By formalizing the language's syntax, semantics, and type systems, the standard ensures that code is portable and interoperable across different hardware and software environments. This standardization allows developers to rely on consistent behavior from compilers and interpreters, facilitating the creation of robust software ecosystems. It bridges the gap between human intent and machine execution, ensuring that the specific paradigms of Common Lisp—such as functional and object-oriented programming—are implemented correctly. ## Notable For - Serving as the official **technical standard** for the Common Lisp dialect. - Being an **instance of a programming language** standard, a subclass of computer language. - Replacing the legacy **ANSI X3.226** specification. - Maintaining a direct relationship with the **Common Lisp HyperSpec**, a key resource for developers. - Supporting multiple **programming paradigms** including functional, imperative, and object-oriented programming within a single standard. ## Body ### Definition and Classification ANSI INCITS 226 is a technical standard classified as a programming language. As a formal language, it is designed to communicate instructions to a machine, specifically computers. It falls under the broader domain of computer science and is recognized as a subclass of computer language. ### Standardization and Governance The development and maintenance of ANSI INCITS 226 are overseen by the **Common Lisp committee**, officially designated as **J13**. This standards body is responsible for defining the precise rules and structures that constitute the language. The current standard succeeded the earlier **ANSI X3.226**, marking an evolution in the formal specification of the language. ### Language Structure and Components As a standard for a programming language, ANSI INCITS 226 defines several core components essential for machine instruction: - **Syntax:** The rules defining the valid structure and code organization. - **Semantics:** The meaning behind the syntactic constructs. - **Execution Model:** Defines how programs written in the language are run, whether compiled or interpreted. - **Type System:** Manages data classification and error prevention. - **Standard Library:** A set of predefined functions and utilities included in the language specification. ### Paradigms and Capabilities The standard defines a language that supports diverse programming paradigms. It is not limited to a single style but accommodates: - **Functional programming:** Emphasizing functions and immutable data. - **Imperative programming:** Implementing step-by-step commands. - **Logic programming:** Based on formal logic. - **Concurrent programming:** Designed to handle simultaneous computations. - **Object-oriented programming:** Supporting data-driven programming and domain-specific mini-languages. ### Ecosystem and Resources A significant resource related to ANSI INCITS 226 is the **Common Lisp HyperSpec**. This is listed as an edition or translation of the standard, providing an accessible, hyperlinked version of the technical specifications. The language defined by this standard is integral to computers—general-purpose devices capable of executing logical and arithmetic operations—and is a subject of study within programming language theory.