# Kawa

> Java framework and implementation of Scheme, Elisp, and more

**Wikidata**: [Q722867](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q722867)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawa_(Scheme_implementation))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kawa

## Summary
Kawa is a Java framework and implementation of Scheme, Elisp, and other programming languages, developed as part of the GNU Project. It was created by Per M. A. Bothner and first released in 1998. Kawa provides a cross-platform environment for running Scheme and Emacs Lisp code on the Java Virtual Machine.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Java framework and implementation of Scheme, Elisp, and other languages
- **Creator**: Per M. A. Bothner (founding member of the GCC Steering Committee)
- **Inception**: 1998-02-09
- **Part of**: GNU Project (inception: 1983-09-27)
- **License**: Expat license
- **Latest stable version**: 3.1.1 (released 2020-01-16)
- **Platform**: Java platform
- **Operating system**: Cross-platform
- **Aliases**: GNU Kawa, Kawa Scheme
- **Programming language**: Java
- **Instance of**: Programming language, GNU package, free software

## FAQs
### Q: What is Kawa used for?
A: Kawa is used as a Java framework to implement and run Scheme, Emacs Lisp (Elisp), and other programming languages. It provides a cross-platform environment for executing these languages on the Java Virtual Machine.

### Q: Who created Kawa?
A: Kawa was created by Per M. A. Bothner, a founding member of the GCC Steering Committee and original author of the GNU Kawa framework.

### Q: What languages does Kawa support?
A: Kawa supports Scheme, Emacs Lisp (Elisp), and other programming languages, providing a unified framework for their implementation in Java.

### Q: Is Kawa free software?
A: Yes, Kawa is free software licensed under the Expat license, part of the GNU Project.

### Q: What is the latest stable version of Kawa?
A: The latest stable version of Kawa is 3.1.1, released on 2020-01-16.

## Why It Matters
Kawa plays a significant role in the free software community by providing a Java-based implementation of Scheme and Elisp. As part of the GNU Project, it contributes to the broader goal of creating a free and open-source software ecosystem. Kawa's cross-platform compatibility and integration with the Java Virtual Machine make it a valuable tool for developers who need to run Scheme or Elisp code in a Java environment. Its inclusion in package managers like Fedora, Gentoo, and Homebrew further demonstrates its adoption and utility in the developer community. By offering a unified framework for multiple languages, Kawa simplifies the process of developing and executing code in these languages, making it a notable project in the realm of programming language implementations.

## Notable For
- **GNU Project Affiliation**: Kawa is one of the many free software projects under the GNU Project, contributing to the broader mission of promoting software freedom.
- **Cross-Language Framework**: Kawa uniquely combines implementations of Scheme and Elisp within a single Java framework, offering a versatile environment for developers.
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: As a cross-platform solution, Kawa allows developers to run Scheme and Elisp code on any system that supports the Java Virtual Machine.
- **Package Manager Integration**: Kawa is available in multiple package managers, including Fedora, Gentoo, and Homebrew, indicating its widespread adoption and ease of use.
- **Active Development**: With the latest stable version released in 2020, Kawa remains an actively maintained project, ensuring ongoing support and updates for users.

## Body
### Overview
Kawa is a Java framework and implementation of Scheme, Emacs Lisp (Elisp), and other programming languages. It was developed as part of the GNU Project and is licensed under the Expat license, making it free software. The project was initiated by Per M. A. Bothner, who is also a founding member of the GCC Steering Committee.

### Development and Release
Kawa was first released on 1998-02-09. Over the years, several stable versions have been released, with the latest stable version being 3.1.1, released on 2020-01-16. The project has seen updates and improvements, with version 3.0 released on 2017-10-02 and version 3.1 on 2020-01-07.

### Technical Details
Kawa operates on the Java platform and is designed to be cross-platform, meaning it can run on any system that supports the Java Virtual Machine. The framework supports multiple programming languages, including Scheme and Elisp, providing a unified environment for their implementation and execution.

### Community and Adoption
Kawa is part of the GNU Project, which has a long history of developing free software. The project has been integrated into various package managers, including Fedora, Gentoo, and Homebrew, indicating its adoption and ease of use among developers. Kawa also has a user manual and mailing lists for support and community engagement.

### Related Projects
Kawa is related to other programming languages and projects, including Java, Scheme, and Elisp. It also has connections to the GNU Project and the GCC Steering Committee, highlighting its ties to the broader free software community.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Kawa",
  "description": "Java framework and implementation of Scheme, Elisp, and other programming languages",
  "url": "https://www.gnu.org/software/kawa/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawa_(Scheme_implementation)"],
  "applicationCategory": "Programming Language Implementation",
  "operatingSystem": "Cross-platform",
  "softwareVersion": "3.1.1",
  "license": "Expat license",
  "datePublished": "1998-02-09",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Per M. A. Bothner"
  },
  "programmingLanguage": "Java",
  "isPartOf": {
    "@type": "Project",
    "name": "GNU Project"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.gnu.org/software/kawa/Acknowledgements.html)
2. [kawa 3.0 released. 2017](https://sourceware.org/legacy-ml/kawa/2017-q4/msg00000.html)
3. [kawa 3.1 released. 2020](https://sourceware.org/legacy-ml/kawa/2020-q1/msg00000.html)
4. [kawa-3.1.1 released. 2020](https://sourceware.org/legacy-ml/kawa/2020-q1/msg00005.html)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Source](https://www.gnu.org/software/kawa/Getting-Kawa.html)
7. [Source](https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/bug-kawa)
8. [Source](https://sourceware.org/mailman/listinfo/kawa)