# LFE

> Lisp Flavored Erlang

**Wikidata**: [Q17097207](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17097207)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LFE_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lfe

## Summary
LFE (Lisp Flavored Erlang) is a functional programming language created by Robert Virding in 2008. It is a dialect of Lisp that operates using dynamic and strong typing disciplines. The language is distributed under the Apache License and serves as a tool for communicating instructions to a machine within the functional programming paradigm.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Lisp Flavored Erlang
- **Author:** Robert Virding
- **Inception:** 2008
- **License:** Apache License
- **Instance of:** Functional programming language, Programming language
- **Paradigm:** Functional programming
- **Typing Discipline:** Dynamic typing, Strong typing
- **Dialect of:** Lisp
- **Official Website:** https://lfe.io
- **Wikipedia Title:** LFE (programming language)

## FAQs
### Q: What is LFE?
A: LFE stands for Lisp Flavored Erlang. It is a functional programming language and a dialect of Lisp that was created by Robert Virding.

### Q: When was LFE created?
A: LFE was created in 2008.

### Q: What are the typing disciplines used in LFE?
A: LFE utilizes both dynamic typing and strong typing.

### Q: Under what license is LFE distributed?
A: LFE is distributed under the Apache License.

## Why It Matters
LFE represents a significant intersection of two distinct programming philosophies: the syntax and metaprogramming capabilities of Lisp and the architecture of Erlang. By functioning as a dialect of Lisp, it provides an alternative syntactic layer for developers working within functional programming environments. This allows programmers to leverage Lisp’s homoiconicity and macro systems while adhering to functional programming principles.

Created by Robert Virding, one of the co-creators of Erlang, LFE serves as a robust tool for developing software that requires the concurrency and fault-tolerance associated with the Erlang ecosystem, but with the expressive power of Lisp. Its existence demonstrates the flexibility of the Erlang VM (BEAM), which supports languages beyond Erlang itself. The language is maintained as an open-source project under the Apache License, ensuring its accessibility and allowing for community-driven development and modification.

## Notable For
- Being a dialect of the Lisp programming language.
- Functioning as a functional programming language.
- Combining dynamic typing with strong typing disciplines.
- Creation by Robert Virding.
- Availability under the open-source Apache License.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
LFE (Lisp Flavored Erlang) is classified as a functional programming language and a broader programming language. It is explicitly recognized as a dialect of the Lisp computer language. The acronym "LFE" is the standard abbreviation for "Lisp Flavored Erlang." It is currently listed as a copyrighted entity with a sitelink count of 2 on major knowledge bases.

### Technical Specifications
The language employs a specific set of technical characteristics regarding how it processes data:
- **Typing Discipline:** It uses **dynamic typing**, where type checks are performed at runtime, combined with **strong typing**, which restricts implicit type conversions.
- **Paradigm:** The language strictly follows the **functional programming** paradigm, emphasizing the application of functions.
- **Package Management:** It is available via SlackBuilds as `development/lfe`.

### History and Attribution
LFE was authored by **Robert Virding** in **2008**. The project is accessible to the public via its official website at **https://lfe.io**.

### Licensing
The language is distributed under the **Apache License**. This allows users broad freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software within the terms of the license.