# Harbour

> programming language, primarily used to create database/business programs

**Wikidata**: [Q2544816](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2544816)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbour_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harbour

## Summary
Harbour is a multi-paradigm programming language primarily used to create database and business programs. It was first introduced in 1999 and is influenced by dBase, offering support for several programming paradigms including declarative, procedural, and object-oriented approaches.

## Key Facts
- Harbour was created in 1999 as a programming language for developing database and business applications
- The language supports multiple programming paradigms including declarative, procedural, multi-paradigm, imperative, object-oriented, reflective, and functional programming
- Harbour uses typing disciplines including duck typing, dynamic typing, safe typing, and strong typing
- The language is also known by aliases XHarbour and Projeto Harbour
- Harbour is available in 7 different Wikipedia languages: German, English, Spanish, Italian, Malay, Portuguese, and Russian
- The language is influenced by dBase, a popular database programming language from the 1980s
- Harbour's official website is https://harbour.github.io/

## FAQs
### Q: What is Harbour primarily used for?
A: Harbour is a programming language primarily used to create database and business programs. It supports multiple programming paradigms making it suitable for various types of business applications.

### Q: When was Harbour first created?
A: Harbour was first created in 1999. Since then, it has evolved to support various programming paradigms and remains in use for developing business applications.

### Q: What programming paradigms does Harbour support?
A: Harbour supports multiple programming paradigms including declarative programming, procedural programming, multi-paradigm programming, imperative programming, object-oriented programming, reflective programming, and functional programming.

### Q: How does Harbour compare to dBase?
A: Harbour is influenced by dBase, meaning it builds upon some of the concepts and features from the dBase language. This influence makes Harbour compatible with many dBase applications while offering additional modern programming paradigms.

## Why It Matters
Harbour holds significance in the programming world as a multi-paradigm language specifically designed for database and business applications. It bridges the gap between older database programming languages like dBase and modern programming practices by supporting multiple programming paradigms. This makes Harbour valuable for businesses that need to maintain legacy systems while introducing more modern coding approaches. Its continued development and support across multiple languages indicate its practical importance in the business application domain. Harbour's comprehensive typing system, including both dynamic and static typing options, provides flexibility for different development scenarios while maintaining code safety.

## Notable For
- Harbour's support for multiple programming paradigms in a single language, including declarative, procedural, object-oriented, functional, and reflective programming
- Its influence from dBase while offering modern programming features and compatibility with legacy dBase applications
- Comprehensive typing discipline including duck typing, dynamic typing, safe typing, and strong typing in a single language
- Multi-lingual Wikipedia presence with documentation in 7 different languages
- Cross-platform availability allowing development for various operating systems

## Body
### Overview
Harbour is a multi-paradigm programming language designed primarily for creating database and business applications. It was first created in 1999 and has evolved to support multiple programming approaches, making it versatile for various development needs.

### Programming Paradigms
Harbour supports a wide range of programming paradigms, including:
- Declarative programming
- Procedural programming
- Multi-paradigm programming
- Imperative programming
- Object-oriented programming
- Reflective programming
- Functional programming

This comprehensive support allows developers to choose the most appropriate approach for specific business requirements.

### Typing System
The language employs a flexible typing system with several typing disciplines:
- Duck typing
- Dynamic typing
- Safe typing
- Strong typing

This combination provides developers with the flexibility to choose the most suitable typing approach for their specific application requirements.

### Language Development
Harbour's development has been influenced by the dBase programming language, creating a natural progression for developers familiar with dBase applications. The language is available across multiple platforms and is documented in 7 different Wikipedia languages, indicating its international adoption.

### Current Status
As of the latest information, Harbour remains an active project with its official website located at https://harbour.github.io/. The language continues to be maintained and updated, ensuring compatibility with modern systems while preserving its core strengths in database and business application development.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)