# P4

> programming language designed to allow programming of packet forwarding planes

**Wikidata**: [Q25215425](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25215425)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P4_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/p4

## Summary
P4 is a domain-specific programming language designed to allow the programming of packet forwarding planes. Standing for "Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors," it utilizes an imperative programming paradigm to communicate instructions to a machine. The project was inceptioned in 2013 and is maintained under an open-source license.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name**: Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors
- **Inception**: 2013
- **Category**: Domain-specific programming language
- **Paradigm**: Imperative programming
- **License**: Apache License
- **Official Website**: http://p4.org
- **Primary Function**: Designed to allow programming of packet forwarding planes
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Available in 5 languages (English, Catalan, French, Persian, Hebrew)
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0131ztb2

## FAQs
### Q: What does the acronym P4 stand for?
A: P4 stands for "Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors."

### Q: What type of programming language is P4?
A: P4 is a domain-specific language that follows the imperative programming paradigm. It is classified specifically as a programming language for communicating instructions to a machine.

### Q: When was P4 created and what is its license?
A: P4 was inceptioned in 2013. It is released under the Apache License.

## Why It Matters
P4 addresses a critical niche in computer science and networking by functioning as a domain-specific language for packet forwarding planes. Unlike general-purpose languages, P4 is tailored to communicate specific instructions to networking hardware, allowing for the customization of how data packets are processed.

Its significance lies in its "protocol-independent" nature (as suggested by its name), which provides developers with the flexibility to define how packets are handled rather than relying on fixed, hardware-bound protocols. Since its inception in 2013, P4 has become a notable entity in the field, bridging the gap between software logic and network infrastructure. By offering an open-source solution under the Apache License, it facilitates widespread adoption and innovation in the way networking equipment is programmed and controlled.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Domain:** Distinguished as a domain-specific language exclusively for packet forwarding planes.
- **Protocol Independence:** Uniquely designed to be "Programming Protocol-Independent," allowing for flexible packet processing.
- **Imperative Paradigm:** Utilizes imperative programming to provide explicit instructions to machines.
- **Open Standards:** Operates under the Apache License and maintains a public presence at p4.org.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Has established Wikipedia entries in five distinct languages (ca, en, fa, fr, he).

## Body
### Overview and Classification
P4 is a programming language formally classified as a domain-specific language. It falls under the broader umbrella of programming languages used for communicating instructions to a machine. The Wikidata description explicitly defines it as a "programming language designed to allow programming of packet forwarding planes."

### Technical Specifications
The language operates using the **imperative programming** paradigm. This implies that the language is designed to issue commands to the hardware to change its state, specifically regarding how it handles network traffic. It is distinct from other entities named "P4" (denoted by the "different_from" property in structured data).

### History and Licensing
P4 was inceptioned in **2013**. It is a copyrighted entity that is distributed or managed under the **Apache License**. The language is accessible via its official portal at **http://p4.org**.

### Digital Presence
The entity has a Freebase ID of `/m/0131ztb2`. It has a sitelink count of 5 across various Wikipedia languages, including English (`en`), Catalan (`ca`), French (`fr`), Persian (`fa`), and Hebrew (`he`), indicating a moderate level of international documentation. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "P4 (programming language)."