# Darwin

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q48987595](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48987595)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/darwin-q48987595

## Summary
Darwin is a programming language created in 1991 by computer scientist Gaston Gonnet. It is influenced by the Maple computer algebra system and supports structured, imperative, and object-oriented programming paradigms.

## Key Facts
*   **Inception:** The language was created in **1991**.
*   **Designer:** It was designed by **Gaston Gonnet**, a Uruguayan computer scientist and entrepreneur born in 1948.
*   **Classification:** Darwin is an instance of a **programming language**.
*   **Influences:** The language's design was influenced by **Maple**, a computer algebra system.
*   **Typing Discipline:** It utilizes **dynamic typing** and **strong typing**.
*   **File Extension:** Source files for Darwin use the **.drw** extension.
*   **Programming Paradigms:** The language supports **structured programming**, **imperative programming**, and **object-oriented programming**.
*   **Documentation:** The official manual is hosted by ETH Zurich at `https://www.inf.ethz.ch/personal/gonnet/DarwinManual/DarwinManual.html`.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created the Darwin programming language?
A: Darwin was designed by Gaston Gonnet, a prominent computer scientist and entrepreneur known for his work on the Maple computer algebra system.

### Q: What programming style does Darwin use?
A: Darwin is a multi-paradigm language that supports structured, imperative, and object-oriented programming. It is characterized as both dynamically and strongly typed.

### Q: What system influenced the development of Darwin?
A: Darwin was influenced by Maple, a computer algebra system originally released in 1982.

## Why It Matters
Darwin serves as a notable example of specialized programming languages developed within academic computer science environments. Designed by Gaston Gonnet—a key figure in the creation of the Maple algebra system—Darwin represents a bridge between computer algebra concepts and general-purpose programming. Its inception in 1991 places it among the early wave of languages attempting to integrate diverse programming paradigms, specifically combining the procedural nature of imperative programming with the modular organization of object-oriented programming.

The language is significant for researchers and developers interested in the history of dynamic and strongly typed systems. By leveraging the legacy of Maple, Darwin offers capabilities tailored to specific computational needs while maintaining a structured architecture. Although it has a smaller digital footprint compared to mainstream languages (indicated by a low sitelink count), its association with ETH Zurich and Gonnet grants it historical relevance in the evolution of scientific computing tools.

## Notable For
*   **Association with Gaston Gonnet:** Created by a renowned computer scientist who also co-created the Maple system.
*   **Hybrid Typing System:** Features a distinct combination of dynamic and strong typing disciplines.
*   **Maple Heritage:** Uniquely influenced by the Maple computer algebra system, distinguishing it from general-purpose languages of the early 1990s.
*   **Multi-Paradigm Support:** Offers flexibility through support for structured, imperative, and object-oriented programming simultaneously.

## Body
### Origins and Design
Darwin is a programming language that was inceptioned in **1991**. It was designed by **Gaston Gonnet**, a computer scientist and businessperson born in Uruguay in 1948. Gonnet is also widely recognized for his role in the development of **Maple**, a computer algebra system that began in 1982. This influence is explicitly cited as a foundational element of Darwin's design philosophy.

### Technical Specifications
The language is classified as an instance of a **programming language** and operates under several paradigms:
*   **Structured programming**
*   **Imperative programming**
*   **Object-oriented programming**

Darwin employs a specific typing discipline that is described as **dynamic typing** and **strong typing**. Files containing Darwin code utilize the file extension **.drw**.

### Documentation and Resources
Primary documentation for the language is maintained by ETH Zurich. The "Darwin Manual" is described at the URL:
`https://www.inf.ethz.ch/personal/gonnet/DarwinManual/DarwinManual.html`

The language has a limited but specific presence on the web, with its primary Wikipedia title listed as "Darwin (programming language)" in English.