# Limbo

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q544927](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q544927)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/limbo

## Summary
Limbo is a programming language developed by Bell Labs in 1995 as part of the Inferno distributed operating system. It was designed for concurrent computing and modular programming, with strong typing discipline.

## Key Facts
- Developed by Bell Labs in 1995
- Part of the Inferno distributed operating system
- Instance of programming language with strong typing discipline
- Influenced by concurrent computing and modular programming paradigms
- Has 17 sitelinks across multiple language Wikipedias
- Named after the concept of "limbo"
- Free and open-source with website at http://www.vitanuova.com/inferno/limbo.html

## FAQs
### Q: What is Limbo used for?
A: Limbo is a programming language designed for concurrent computing and modular programming, primarily used within the Inferno distributed operating system environment.

### Q: Who created Limbo?
A: Limbo was developed by Bell Labs, the research and development arm of AT&T, in 1995.

### Q: What makes Limbo unique as a programming language?
A: Limbo features strong typing discipline and was specifically designed for concurrent computing and modular programming, making it well-suited for distributed systems.

## Why It Matters
Limbo represents an important contribution to programming language design, particularly in the realm of concurrent and distributed computing. As part of the Inferno operating system, it helped advance the concept of distributed systems by providing a language specifically tailored for this environment. Its strong typing discipline and modular design principles influenced later programming languages and systems. The language's development at Bell Labs, a renowned research institution, underscores its significance in the evolution of programming languages for distributed computing.

## Notable For
- Being specifically designed for the Inferno distributed operating system
- Strong typing discipline uncommon in systems programming languages of its era
- Concurrent computing capabilities built into the language design
- Modular programming support as a core feature
- Influence on later programming languages and distributed systems design

## Body
### Development and Origins
Limbo was created by Bell Labs in 1995 as part of their research into distributed operating systems. The language was developed alongside the Inferno operating system, which was based on ideas and technology from Plan 9.

### Technical Characteristics
The language features strong typing discipline, which helps prevent common programming errors and ensures type safety. It supports concurrent computing, allowing multiple processes to run simultaneously, and modular programming, which promotes code organization and reusability.

### Relationship to Inferno
As part of the Inferno operating system, Limbo was designed to work seamlessly within this distributed environment. Inferno itself was based on concepts from Plan 9, another distributed operating system developed at Bell Labs.

### Documentation and Resources
The language is documented on the official Inferno website (http://www.vitanuova.com/inferno/limbo.html), with content available in English. It has been documented in multiple languages including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, Persian, French, Gujarati, Italian, Japanese, and Korean.

### Legacy and Influence
While Limbo itself is not widely used today, its design principles and features have influenced the development of other programming languages and systems. The language's focus on concurrent computing and strong typing has been particularly influential in the evolution of systems programming languages.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File