# Visual Prolog

> programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q627600](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q627600)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Prolog)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/visual-prolog

## Summary
Visual Prolog is a multi-paradigm programming language that supports logic, functional, object-oriented, and imperative programming styles. It is the successor to Turbo Prolog (also known as PDC Prolog) and is designed primarily for the Microsoft Windows operating system. The language features strong, static, and inference typing disciplines.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Visual Prolog is a programming language utilized for communicating instructions to a machine.
- **Aliases:** It is also known as Turbo Prolog and PDC Prolog.
- **Operating System:** The language runs on and requires Microsoft Windows.
- **Paradigms:** It supports multiple programming paradigms, including logic programming, functional programming, object-oriented programming, and imperative programming.
- **Typing:** Visual Prolog utilizes a typing discipline that is strong, static, and uses inference typing.
- **Latest Version:** The most recent stable version is **11 Build 1112**, released on **February 3, 2025**.
- **File Format:** It uses the proprietary VisualProlog file format for both reading and writing files.
- **Website:** The official website is located at `https://www.visual-prolog.com`.

## FAQs
### Q: What programming paradigms does Visual Prolog support?
A: Visual Prolog is a multi-paradigm language. It supports logic programming, functional programming, object-oriented programming, and imperative programming.

### Q: What operating system does Visual Prolog run on?
A: Visual Prolog runs on Microsoft Windows. It is part of a family of computer operating systems developed by Microsoft.

### Q: What is the relationship between Visual Prolog and Turbo Prolog?
A: Visual Prolog is the successor to Turbo Prolog. "Turbo Prolog" and "PDC Prolog" are listed as aliases for Visual Prolog.

## Why It Matters
Visual Prolog matters in the software development landscape as a robust tool that integrates the declarative nature of logic programming with the structural capabilities of object-oriented and functional programming. While many languages specialize in a single paradigm, Visual Prolog provides a hybrid environment, allowing developers to utilize logic-based inference alongside standard imperative and functional code structures. This combination makes it distinct among programming tools available for the Microsoft Windows ecosystem.

The language also demonstrates significant longevity and active maintenance, evidenced by its transition from Turbo Prolog to its current form. Its evolution includes a steady release of updates, with Version 11 seeing multiple builds released throughout 2024 and into early 2025. The inclusion of a strong, static typing discipline with inference capabilities helps ensure code reliability and error detection, distinguishing it from dynamically typed scripting languages often used for rapid application development.

## Notable For
- **Multi-Paradigm Integration:** Uniquely combines logic programming with functional, object-oriented, and imperative paradigms in a single language.
- **Type System:** Features a sophisticated typing discipline that is simultaneously strong, static, and capable of type inference.
- **Windows Focus:** Maintained specifically as a programming language for the Microsoft Windows platform.
- **Active Development:** Shows a high frequency of updates, with over five stable builds released in 2024 and 2025 alone.
- **Lineage:** Acts as the modern continuation of the historic Turbo Prolog language.

## Body
### History and Identity
Visual Prolog is a programming language classified as an instance of a "language for communicating instructions to a machine." It is identified in knowledge bases by several aliases, including **Turbo Prolog** and **PDC Prolog**. The software explicitly **replaces** Turbo Prolog, carrying forward its legacy into modern Windows environments. It is distinct from standard Prolog implementations due to its graphical and integrated development focus.

### Technical Specifications
The language is defined by its hybrid approach to programming problems. It supports four primary paradigms:
*   **Logic Programming:** Utilizing formal logic.
*   **Functional Programming:** Treating computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions.
*   **Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):** Using objects containing data and code.
*   **Imperative Programming:** Using statements that change a program's state.

Visual Prolog employs a strict **typing discipline**. It is **statically typed** (types are checked at compile time) and **strongly typed** (strict enforcement of type rules), while also supporting **inference typing** (the compiler automatically deduces types).

### Platform and Compatibility
Visual Prolog is exclusively tailored for the **Microsoft Windows** operating system. It utilizes a specific file format known as the **VisualProlog file format**, which serves as both the readable and writable format for the language's files.

### Version History
The development of Visual Prolog is active, with a clear progression of stable builds recorded in recent years. Key version milestones include:
*   **Version 9:** Build 902 was released on April 26, 2019.
*   **Version 10:** Reached Build 1000 and Build 1001 (referenced in 2026 records).
*   **Version 11:** This version has seen extensive updates, including:
    *   Build 1105 (Jan 11, 2024)
    *   Build 1106 (Feb 1, 2024)
    *   Build 1107 (Feb 15, 2024)
    *   Build 1108 (Feb 23, 2024)
    *   Build 1110 (Mar 21, 2024)
    *   Build 1111 (Apr 24, 2024)
    *   **Build 1112** (Feb 3, 2025) - Currently listed as the preferred stable version.

## References

1. [Visual Prolog 10 New Features](https://wiki.visual-prolog.com/index.php?title=Visual_Prolog_10_New_Features)
2. [Visual Prolog 11 New Features](https://wiki.visual-prolog.com/index.php?title=Visual_Prolog_11_New_Features)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013