# TLA+

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q28955120](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28955120)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TLA+)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tla

## Summary
TLA+ is a programming language based on the temporal logic of actions, designed by American computer scientist Leslie Lamport. First introduced on April 23, 1999, it utilizes an action language programming paradigm to communicate instructions to a machine.

## Key Facts
*   **Designer:** Leslie Lamport, an American computer scientist and mathematician.
*   **Inception:** April 23, 1999.
*   **Type:** Programming language (specifically an action language).
*   **Foundation:** Based on the "temporal logic of actions."
*   **License:** MIT License.
*   **Official Website:** `https://lamport.azurewebsites.net/tla/tla.html`
*   **GitHub:** Username `tlaplus`.
*   **Community Participation:** Participant in Google Summer of Code 2018.
*   **Aliases:** TLA⁺.

## FAQs
### Q: Who created TLA+?
A: TLA+ was designed by Leslie Lamport, an American computer scientist and mathematician born on February 7, 1941.

### Q: When was TLA+ first introduced?
A: The language has an inception date of April 23, 1999.

### Q: What programming paradigm does TLA+ use?
A: TLA+ is classified as an action language based on the temporal logic of actions.

### Q: Is TLA+ open source?
A: Yes, it is released under the MIT License, though it maintains a copyrighted status.

## Why It Matters
TLA+ serves as a distinct tool in the field of computer science, bridging the gap between mathematical theory and practical programming. Designed by Leslie Lamport—a prominent figure in distributed systems and computer science—the language applies the "temporal logic of actions" to system design. This foundation allows for a unique approach to communicating instructions to machines, distinguishing it from standard imperative or object-oriented languages.

Its significance is underscored by its active maintenance and community engagement, evidenced by its participation in the Google Summer of Code 2018 and the availability of resources under the permissive MIT License. By providing a formal structure based on temporal logic, TLA+ offers developers and researchers a rigorous method for defining system behaviors.

## Notable For
*   **Unique Foundation:** It is one of the few languages explicitly based on the "temporal logic of actions."
*   **Distinguished Creator:** Designed by Leslie Lamport, a renowned American computer scientist and mathematician.
*   **Specific Paradigm:** Classified specifically as an "action language" rather than a general-purpose programming language.
*   **Active Community:** Maintained under the MIT License with a presence on GitHub and participation in events like Google Summer of Code.

## Body
### Origins and Design
TLA+ is a programming language created by **Leslie Lamport**, an American computer scientist, programmer, and mathematician. The language was officially introduced on **April 23, 1999**. Lamport, who also holds United States citizenship, designed TLA+ to function as a language for communicating instructions to a machine.

### Technical Specifications
The language operates on the **action language** programming paradigm. Its core architecture is built upon the **temporal logic of actions**. In the knowledge base, it is classified broadly as a "programming language" and "action language."

### Licensing and Availability
TLA+ is distributed under the **MIT License**. While the software is copyrighted, the licensing allows for broad usage and modification. The official website for the language is hosted at `https://lamport.azurewebsites.net/tla/tla.html`, and the project maintains a GitHub profile under the username **tlaplus**.

### Community and Recognition
The project has a global presence, with Wikipedia articles available in six languages: Arabic (ar), English (en), French (fr), Japanese (ja), Russian (ru), and Ukrainian (uk). It is also recognized for its participation in the **Google Summer of Code** in 2018. The entity is tracked in Freebase with the ID `/m/0134r96j`.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/specifying-concurrent-systems-tla/)