# PicoLisp

> programming language, a dialect of the language Lisp

**Wikidata**: [Q7191049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7191049)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PicoLisp)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/picolisp

## Summary
PicoLisp is a programming language and dialect of Lisp, developed by Alexander Burger. First created in 1988, it is a free and open-source software released under the MIT License. The language supports multiple programming paradigms, including functional, procedural, object-oriented, and declarative programming.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** PicoLisp is a dialect of the Lisp programming language.
- **Developer:** The language was developed by Alexander Burger.
- **Inception:** Development of PicoLisp began in 1988.
- **Latest Version:** The stable version is 24.3, released on March 30, 2024.
- **License:** PicoLisp is distributed under the MIT License.
- **Typing Discipline:** The language utilizes duck typing, dynamic typing, and strong typing.
- **Paradigms:** It supports functional, procedural, object-oriented, declarative, reflective, and metaprogramming paradigms.
- **Debian Package:** It is available in Debian stable repositories as "picolisp".
- **Website:** The official website is located at http://picolisp.com.

## FAQs
### Q: When was PicoLisp created?
A: PicoLisp was originally created in 1988 by Alexander Burger.

### Q: What programming paradigms does PicoLisp support?
A: PicoLisp is a multi-paradigm language that supports functional, procedural, object-oriented, declarative, reflective, and metaprogramming styles.

### Q: What is the current stable version of PicoLisp?
A: As of March 30, 2024, the stable version of PicoLisp is version 24.3.

### Q: Under what license is PicoLisp released?
A: PicoLisp is released as free software under the MIT License.

## Why It Matters
PicoLisp matters as a long-standing dialect of Lisp that has maintained active development since its inception in 1988. It serves as a practical tool for developers requiring a language that seamlessly integrates multiple programming paradigms—functional, object-oriented, and declarative—within a single environment. Unlike many modern languages that specialize in one approach, PicoLisp offers a blend of duck, dynamic, and strong typing, providing flexibility in how code is written and executed. Its inclusion in the Debian stable package repository highlights its reliability and relevance in the open-source ecosystem. The language continues to evolve, evidenced by the release of version 24.3 in 2024, ensuring it remains a viable option for modern software development tasks.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** An active history spanning back to 1988.
- **Multi-Paradigm Flexibility:** Supports a wide array of paradigms including functional, object-oriented, and logic-based (declarative) programming.
- **Integrated Typing:** Uniquely combines duck typing, dynamic typing, and strong typing.
- **Open Source:** Distributed under the permissive MIT License.
- **Related Technologies:** Associated with the Microalg programming language (incepted 2014).

## Body

### Development and History
PicoLisp was created by Alexander Burger and has been in development since 1988. It is classified as a dialect of the Lisp programming language, designed to communicate instructions to a machine. Over several decades, it has maintained a presence in the software community, evidenced by its availability in five languages on Wikipedia (English, Esperanto, Hebrew, Russian, and Chinese) and its listing in the Debian stable package repository.

### Technical Specifications
The language is distinguished by its versatile technical architecture. It employs a unique combination of typing disciplines: duck typing, dynamic typing, and strong typing. This allows for runtime flexibility while maintaining strict type rules where applicable.

PicoLisp supports a broad spectrum of programming paradigms:
*   **Functional programming**
*   **Procedural programming**
*   **Object-oriented programming**
*   **Declarative programming**
*   **Reflective programming**
*   **Metaprogramming**

### Versioning and Availability
The project is accessible via its official website at `picolisp.com`. The most recent stable release is **version 24.3**, which was made available on **March 30, 2024**. The software is free to use, operating under the **MIT License**, though it retains a copyrighted status. Resources and descriptions have been curated by sources such as Marjorie-Wiki and Wikidata.

## References

1. [Source](https://software-lab.de/down.html)