# Not eXactly C

> high-level programming language for the Lego Mindstorms NXT

**Wikidata**: [Q1785511](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1785511)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_eXactly_C)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/not-exactly-c

## Summary
Not eXactly C (NXC) is a high-level programming language created specifically for the Lego Mindstorms NXT. Incepted in 2006, it functions as a language for communicating instructions to a machine and utilizes its own dedicated source code file format for both reading and writing.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Programming language (a language for communicating instructions to a machine)
- **Inception:** 2006
- **Aliases:** NXC
- **Target Platform:** Lego Mindstorms NXT
- **Website:** http://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/nbc/
- **Wikipedia Title:** Not eXactly C
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in 6 languages (de, en, fr, it, pl, zh)
- **Sitelink Count:** 6
- **Readable File Format:** Not eXactly C source code file
- **Writable File Format:** Not eXactly C source code file
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0407ljj (published 2013-10-28)

## FAQs
**What is Not eXactly C used for?**
It is a high-level programming language used to communicate instructions to the Lego Mindstorms NXT robotic platform.

**What file format does NXC use?**
The language reads and writes using the "Not eXactly C source code file" format for its program code.

**Where can documentation and resources for NXC be found?**
Official resources and documentation are hosted on the project's website at http://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/nbc/.

**In how many languages is the NXC Wikipedia article available?**
The Wikipedia entry for Not eXactly C exists across 6 linguistic versions: German, English, French, Italian, Polish, and Chinese.

## Why It Matters
Not eXactly C matters because it provides a high-level programming solution tailored specifically for the Lego Mindstorms NXT ecosystem. By offering a structured way to communicate instructions to the NXT hardware, it bridges the gap between human logic and robotic execution. Its existence as a dedicated language with its own readable and writable source code format enables developers and hobbyists to write structured, maintainable code for Lego robots rather than relying on lower-level alternatives.

## Notable For
- Being a high-level programming language specifically designed for the Lego Mindstorms NXT.
- Operating with a dedicated, eponymous source code file format for both reading and writing.
- Maintaining a multilingual Wikipedia presence across six distinct languages.
- Originating in 2006 as a specialized tool for educational and hobbyist robotics.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Not eXactly C, commonly abbreviated as NXC, is classified as a programming language—a system for communicating instructions to a machine. It was conceived in 2006 to serve as a high-level programming language tailored for the Lego Mindstorms NXT platform. The language is documented and referenced across multiple databases, holding the Freebase ID /m/0407ljj (with a publication date of 2013-10-28) and a Wikidata description that explicitly defines its purpose for the NXT system.

### Technical Specifications
The language operates using the "Not eXactly C source code file" as both its readable and writable file format. This means developers write code into this specific file type, and the system reads and processes instructions from this same format. Technical documentation and API references for the language are maintained and accessible via the Bricx Command Center project site at http://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/nbc/. The language's design was influenced by prior languages, a fact recorded in Wikidata with references to Wikipedia.

### Global Presence and Reach
NXC maintains a verified digital footprint across international knowledge bases. Its Wikipedia article is titled "Not eXactly C" and spans six sitelinks, corresponding to translations in German (de), English (en), French (fr), Italian (it), Polish (pl), and Chinese (zh). This multilingual availability highlights its adoption and relevance within the global Lego Mindstorms and robotics programming community.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://bricxcc.sourceforge.net/nbc/nxcdoc/nxcapi/intro.html)