# Dylan

> multi-paradigm programming language with support for functional and object-oriented programming

**Wikidata**: [Q1268744](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1268744)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dylan

## Summary
Dylan is a multi-paradigm programming language developed by Apple Inc. that supports both functional and object-oriented programming. It was created in 1992 as part of Apple's research into advanced programming languages and was influenced by Lisp and Common Lisp.

## Key Facts
- Developed by Apple Inc. and Carnegie Mellon University in 1992
- Supports functional programming, object-oriented programming, and multi-paradigm programming
- Latest stable version is 2022.1, released on November 28, 2022
- Uses dynamic typing and strong typing disciplines
- Cross-platform language with official website at https://opendylan.org/
- Influenced by Lisp, Common Lisp Object System, and Common Lisp
- Has 21 sitelinks across Wikipedia language editions

## FAQs
### Q: What type of programming language is Dylan?
A: Dylan is a multi-paradigm programming language that supports functional programming, object-oriented programming, and dynamic typing. It was designed to be flexible and expressive while maintaining efficiency.

### Q: Who created Dylan and when?
A: Dylan was created by Apple Inc. in 1992, with development also involving Carnegie Mellon University. It was part of Apple's research into advanced programming languages.

### Q: What programming paradigms does Dylan support?
A: Dylan supports multiple programming paradigms including functional programming, object-oriented programming, and multi-paradigm programming. It's designed to be flexible and adaptable to different programming styles.

## Why It Matters
Dylan represents an important experiment in programming language design that sought to combine the expressiveness of functional programming with the practicality of object-oriented programming. Developed during a period when Apple was investing heavily in advanced software technologies, Dylan aimed to provide developers with a more powerful and flexible tool for building complex applications. Its design philosophy emphasized clean syntax, powerful abstractions, and efficient execution, making it particularly relevant for developers working on sophisticated software systems. While not achieving widespread commercial adoption, Dylan's influence can be seen in later programming language designs that similarly blend functional and object-oriented paradigms.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few programming languages developed by Apple Inc. for internal research purposes
- Successfully combining functional and object-oriented programming paradigms in a single language
- Maintaining an active open-source community through Open Dylan project
- Influencing later multi-paradigm language designs with its clean syntax and powerful abstractions
- Providing cross-platform support while maintaining language consistency across different operating systems

## Body
### Development History
Dylan was developed by Apple Computer's Advanced Technology Group in the early 1990s as part of their research into next-generation programming languages. The project aimed to create a language that would be both powerful and practical for commercial software development.

### Technical Features
The language features dynamic typing with strong typing discipline, allowing for flexible development while maintaining type safety. It supports multiple programming paradigms, enabling developers to choose the most appropriate approach for their specific problems.

### Current Status
The Open Dylan project maintains the language as an open-source project, with the latest stable release being version 2022.1. The project provides cross-platform support and continues to develop the language and its tools.

### Language Design
Dylan's design was heavily influenced by Lisp and Common Lisp, but with syntax designed to be more accessible to mainstream developers. It incorporates features from both functional and object-oriented programming, making it a truly multi-paradigm language.

### Community and Resources
The language maintains an active community through the Open Dylan project, with resources available at https://opendylan.org/. The project includes development tools, documentation, and support for multiple platforms.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Dylan",
  "description": "Multi-paradigm programming language with support for functional and object-oriented programming",
  "url": "https://opendylan.org/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_(programming_language)",
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}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. [Source](https://opendylan.org/news/2022/11/28/new-release.html)
3. [Source](https://opendylan.org/documentation/release-notes/2020.1.html)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://opendylan.org/)
6. National Library of Israel