# HyperTalk

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q58329](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58329)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HyperTalk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hypertalk

## Summary
HyperTalk was a scripting language developed by Apple Inc. in 1987, primarily used for controlling HyperCard applications. It was an event-driven language designed for front-end web development and rapid application development, influenced by natural language and procedural programming paradigms.

## Key Facts
- **Developed by**: Apple Inc., an American multinational technology company based in Cupertino, California.
- **Inception**: 1987, as part of the HyperCard software suite.
- **Type**: Scripting language, classified as a weak-typed language.
- **Paradigms**: Procedural programming and event-driven programming.
- **Influenced by**: Natural language and HyperCard.
- **Aliases**: 하이퍼 토크 (Korean).
- **Key People**: Inspired the development of Hyperscript (2020) and influenced LiveCode (2001) and AppleScript (1993).
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Available in 10 languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean.

## FAQs
### Q: What was HyperTalk primarily used for?
A: HyperTalk was primarily used to control HyperCard applications, enabling users to create interactive multimedia documents and applications.

### Q: Who developed HyperTalk?
A: HyperTalk was developed by Apple Inc., the same company behind macOS and iOS.

### Q: What programming paradigms did HyperTalk use?
A: HyperTalk followed procedural programming and event-driven programming paradigms.

### Q: How did HyperTalk influence other languages?
A: HyperTalk inspired Hyperscript (2020) and influenced LiveCode (2001) and AppleScript (1993).

### Q: Is HyperTalk still in use today?
A: While HyperTalk itself is no longer actively supported, its concepts and influence persist in modern scripting languages and development tools.

## Why It Matters
HyperTalk played a pivotal role in the early days of personal computing and multimedia applications. It was a key component of HyperCard, Apple’s revolutionary software that combined text, graphics, sound, and video into a single interactive document. HyperTalk’s event-driven scripting allowed users to create dynamic applications without extensive programming knowledge, democratizing software development. Its influence can be seen in later scripting languages like AppleScript and Hyperscript, demonstrating its enduring impact on the evolution of programming languages and user-friendly development tools.

## Notable For
- **First Event-Driven Scripting Language**: HyperTalk was one of the first widely used event-driven scripting languages, influencing later developments in interactive software.
- **HyperCard Integration**: It was tightly integrated with HyperCard, enabling users to create multimedia applications with minimal coding.
- **Natural Language Influence**: HyperTalk’s syntax was designed to resemble natural language, making it accessible to non-programmers.
- **Legacy in AppleScript**: Many concepts from HyperTalk were carried forward into AppleScript, Apple’s later scripting language.
- **Cross-Platform Development**: HyperTalk facilitated rapid application development across different platforms, including Mac and Windows.

## Body
### Origins and Development
HyperTalk was developed by Apple Inc. in 1987 as part of the HyperCard software suite. It was designed to be an easy-to-use scripting language for controlling HyperCard applications, allowing users to create interactive multimedia documents and applications without extensive programming knowledge.

### Language Features
HyperTalk was a weak-typed language that followed procedural and event-driven programming paradigms. Its syntax was influenced by natural language, making it accessible to users with varying levels of programming experience. The language supported event handling, allowing developers to respond to user actions and system events.

### Influence and Legacy
HyperTalk inspired the development of Hyperscript in 2020 and influenced the creation of LiveCode (2001) and AppleScript (1993). While HyperTalk itself is no longer actively supported, its concepts and design principles have had a lasting impact on the evolution of scripting languages and user-friendly development tools.

### Availability and Documentation
HyperTalk’s documentation and reference materials are available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean. The language’s legacy is preserved in various online resources and academic studies, ensuring its continued relevance in the history of programming languages.

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## References

1. [Source](http://hypercard.org/HyperTalk%20Reference%202.4.pdf)
2. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/technology/Hypertalk)
3. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. National Library of Israel