# Nu

> Object-oriented programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q7067717](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7067717)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nu

## Summary
Nu is an object-oriented programming language and a dialect of Lisp designed primarily for the macOS operating system. Introduced in 2007, it features dynamic typing and supports multiple programming paradigms including functional, imperative, and procedural programming.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 2007
- **Language Dialect:** A dialect of the Lisp computer language
- **Operating System:** Runs on macOS (Apple's operating system)
- **License:** Apache License
- **Typing Discipline:** Dynamic typing
- **Programming Paradigms:** Object-oriented, functional, imperative, procedural, and structured programming
- **Official Website:** https://programming.nu
- **MacPorts Port:** nu2
- **Classification:** Object-oriented, object-based, and procedural programming language

## FAQs
### Q: What is the relationship between Nu and Lisp?
A: Nu is a dialect of the Lisp computer language. It maintains Lisp-like characteristics while functioning as an object-oriented and procedural programming language.

### Q: Is Nu the same as Nushell?
A: No, Nu is a distinct programming language and is explicitly categorized as being different from Nushell.

### Q: What platforms support the Nu programming language?
A: Nu is designed for the macOS operating system. It is available for installation on Apple computers, including through the MacPorts package manager under the port name "nu2."

## Why It Matters
Nu serves as a specialized bridge between the Lisp programming tradition and the macOS environment. By combining the flexibility of a Lisp dialect with modern object-oriented and procedural paradigms, it provides developers with a multi-paradigm toolset for Apple's ecosystem. Its inception in 2007 offered a dynamic typing alternative for macOS, which had been established as a primary platform since 2001. 

The language is significant for its versatility, allowing developers to utilize functional, imperative, and structured programming within a single framework. Licensed under the Apache License, it remains an accessible open-source option for those seeking to integrate Lisp-based logic into object-oriented software development. Its presence in the MacPorts repository as "nu2" underscores its continued relevance for developers working within the macOS technical community.

## Notable For
- **Lisp Heritage:** Nu is a direct dialect of the Lisp computer language, inheriting its specific syntax and logic styles.
- **Multi-Paradigm Flexibility:** It simultaneously supports object-oriented, functional, imperative, and procedural programming styles.
- **macOS Specialization:** The language is specifically tailored for and requires the macOS operating system.
- **Open Source Licensing:** It is distributed under the Apache License, ensuring the code is available for use and modification.

## Body

### Technical Architecture and Paradigms
Nu is a multi-paradigm programming language that integrates several distinct styles of software development. It is classified as:
*   **Object-Oriented and Object-Based:** It uses objects as a primary building block for software.
*   **Functional and Imperative:** It allows for both mathematical-style functional programming and state-changing imperative commands.
*   **Structured and Procedural:** It follows organized, top-down instruction sets typical of procedural languages.

### Platform and Distribution
Nu is specifically developed for the macOS platform. 
*   **Operating System Requirement:** It requires macOS, the operating system for Apple computers (originally released in 2001).
*   **Package Management:** It is available via MacPorts, where it is identified by the port name **nu2**.
*   **Typing:** The language utilizes a dynamic typing discipline, meaning variable types are checked during runtime rather than at compile time.

### Development History
*   **Inception:** The language was first introduced in 2007.
*   **Licensing:** While the language is copyrighted, it is released under the Apache License.
*   **Identification:** In digital databases, it is assigned the Freebase ID `/m/043jn7w` and is distinguished from other entities like Nushell.
*   **Web Presence:** The project maintains its primary documentation and presence at https://programming.nu.