# TOM

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q7670997](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7670997)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tom-q7670997

## Summary
TOM is an object-based programming language created in 1999, influenced by Objective-C and based on the Objective language. It is licensed under GNU General Public License and uses the 't' file extension for source code.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Created in 1999  
- **License**: GNU General Public License  
- **Versions**: Stable version 1.1.1 (released 1999-10-15); beta snapshots (released 2001-04-14)  
- **File Extension**: Uses '.t' for source code files  
- **Paradigm**: Object-oriented programming  
- **Based On**: Objective language  
- **Influenced By**: Objective-C  
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted  
- **Online Presence**: Official website at http://gerbil.org/tom/  

## FAQs
### Q: What programming paradigm does TOM follow?
A: TOM is categorized as an object-oriented programming language, emphasizing object-based design principles.

### Q: How does TOM relate to Objective-C?
A: TOM is directly influenced by Objective-C and is based on the earlier Objective language, sharing core object-oriented concepts.

### Q: What is the current stable version of TOM?
A: The stable version of TOM is 1.1.1, released on October 15, 1999.

### Q: Why is TOM distinct from "Tom"?
A: TOM is a programming language, while the entity "Tom" (capitalized) is explicitly listed as a different entity in its metadata.

## Why It Matters
TOM contributes to the evolution of object-based programming by offering a distinct alternative influenced by Objective-C. Its creation in 1999 provided developers with a GNU-licensed, open-source choice for object-oriented development. Though with limited adoption (evidenced by its single sitelink), TOM demonstrates how experimental languages can expand design paradigms. Its continued availability via archived snapshots (2001) preserves its historical significance in exploring object-oriented flexibility, particularly for niche applications requiring lightweight object manipulation without full inheritance hierarchies.

## Notable For
- **Unique Licensing**: Early adoption of GNU General Public License for object-based language design  
- **Minimalist File Extension**: Single-character '.t' extension for source code  
- **Precise Version Control**: Explicit stable (1.1.1) and beta (snapshots) release dates  
- **Inheritance from Objective-C**: Direct influence from the 1984-established Objective-C language  
- **Differentiation**: Explicit metadata distinction from the similarly named entity "Tom"  

## Body
### Foundation and Licensing
TOM was first developed in 1999 and is licensed under GNU General Public License. It holds a copyrighted status and is categorized as both a programming language and an object-based language. Its official website is http://gerbil.org/tom/.

### Technical Structure
- **Programming Paradigm**: Object-oriented programming  
- **Core Influence**: Based on Objective language and influenced by Objective-C  
- **File Handling**: Uses '.t' extension for source files  
- **Version History**:  
  - Stable version: 1.1.1 (released 1999-10-15)  
  - Beta version: Snapshots (released 2001-04-14)  

### Metadata and Relations
- **Sitelink Count**: 1 (as per recorded data)  
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Zero articles in all languages  
- **Differentiation**: Explicitly distinct from entity "Tom" (capitalized)  
- **Class Affiliation**: Falls under programming languages and object-based languages classes