# Inform

> programming language and design system for interactive fiction

**Wikidata**: [Q539268](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q539268)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inform)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/inform

## Summary
Inform is a programming language and design system specifically designed for creating interactive fiction (IF), such as text-based adventure games. Developed by Graham Nelson in 1993, it allows authors to write narratives using natural language syntax, simplifying the development of complex, choice-driven stories. Inform supports multiple programming paradigms and has been used to develop notable works like *Blue Lacuna* and *Glass*.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: 1993.
- **Developer/Designer**: Graham Nelson.
- **Latest Stable Version**: 7.9.3 (released December 2015).
- **Operating System**: Primarily runs on Microsoft Windows.
- **File Extensions**: `.Z#`, `.inf`, `.Z5`, `.Z8`.
- **Typing Discipline**: Inference typing.
- **Programming Paradigms**: Object-oriented, declarative, and procedural programming.
- **Official Website**: http://inform7.com/.
- **Notable Works**: *Blue Lacuna* (Aaron A. Reed) and *Glass* (Emily Short).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Inform primarily used for?
A: Inform is used to create interactive fiction, such as text-based adventure games, using a natural language syntax that simplifies narrative-driven programming.

### Q: Who developed Inform?
A: Inform was developed by Graham Nelson, who first released the language in 1993.

### Q: What operating systems does Inform support?
A: Inform primarily supports Microsoft Windows, though it can also run on other platforms via compatibility tools like Wine.

## Why It Matters
Inform revolutionized the creation of interactive fiction by providing a high-level, intuitive programming language tailored to narrative design. Its natural language syntax lowers the technical barrier for writers, enabling them to focus on storytelling rather than complex coding. Since its inception in 1993, Inform has become a cornerstone of the IF community, fostering the development of critically acclaimed works and influencing the evolution of narrative-driven games. Its flexibility across programming paradigms (object-oriented, declarative, and procedural) also makes it a unique educational tool for teaching programming concepts through creative writing.

## Notable For
- **Domain-Specific Language**: Purpose-built for interactive fiction, unlike general-purpose programming languages.
- **Natural Language Syntax**: Allows authors to write code in a style resembling English prose.
- **Multi-Paradigm Support**: Combines object-oriented, declarative, and procedural programming techniques.
- **Long-Term Development**: Continuously updated since 1993, with the latest stable version (7.9.3) released in 2015.
- **Community Impact**: Used in educational settings and by indie developers to produce award-winning projects.

## Body
### History
- **Creation**: Graham Nelson developed the first version of Inform in 1993, inspired by his interest in interactive fiction and the limitations of existing tools.
- **Evolution**: The language has undergone several major updates, with Inform 7 (released in 2006) introducing a natural language syntax. The latest stable version, 7.9.3, was released in December 2015.

### Technical Features
- **Syntax**: Uses a unique blend of natural language and traditional code structures, allowing statements like "The kitchen is a room."
- **Compilation**: Source code is compiled into bytecode for the Z-machine or Glulx virtual machines, enabling cross-platform playback.
- **File Types**: Projects are saved with extensions like `.inf` (source code) and `.Z#` (compiled game files).

### Notable Works
- **Blue Lacuna** (2007): A critically acclaimed interactive novel by Aaron A. Reed, praised for its literary depth and innovative use of Inform’s capabilities.
- **Glass** (2004): A surreal, choice-driven story by Emily Short that explores themes of identity and memory.

### Community Impact
- **Accessibility**: Inform’s design has democratized interactive fiction development, empowering writers without extensive coding backgrounds.
- **Education**: The language is often taught in creative writing and game development courses to illustrate narrative programming principles.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ProgrammingLanguage",
  "name": "Inform",
  "description": "Programming language and design system for interactive fiction",
  "url": "http://inform7.com/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inform"
  ],
  "version": "7.9.3",
  "operatingSystem": "Microsoft Windows",
  "author": "Graham Nelson",
  "datePublished": "1993"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013