# wenyan‑lang

> esoteric programming language based on Classic Chinese

**Wikidata**: [Q108770579](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108770579)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wenyanlang

## Summary
Wenyan-lang is an esoteric programming language designed to resemble Classical Chinese, created for artistic and educational purposes rather than practical software development. It compiles to JavaScript and emphasizes syntactic aesthetics over functionality. First released in 2019, it combines programming concepts with ancient literary structures.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: 2019, with the first version (0.0.1) released on December 20, 2019.
- **License**: MIT License, as specified in its GitHub repository.
- **Latest Version**: 0.3.1 (released January 29, 2020), with active updates through early 2020.
- **Classification**: Esoteric programming language and conceptual artwork.
- **Writing System**: Uses traditional Chinese characters for syntax and documentation.
- **Website**: Official site at [https://wy-lang.org/](https://wy-lang.org/) and user manual at [https://book.wy-lang.org/](https://book.wy-lang.org/).
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan).

## FAQs
### Q: What is wenyan-lang used for?
A: Wenyan-lang is primarily used for artistic expression, educational exploration of Classical Chinese, and esoteric programming challenges, rather than serious software development.

### Q: Is wenyan-lang based on modern Chinese?
A: No, it is specifically designed to mimic the syntax and vocabulary of Classical Chinese, distinct from modern Mandarin or other contemporary Chinese dialects.

### Q: Can wenyan-lang compile to executable code?
A: Yes, it compiles to JavaScript, allowing programs to run in environments that support JavaScript, though its primary focus is on linguistic and aesthetic innovation.

## Why It Matters
Wenyan-lang bridges the gap between ancient literature and modern computing, offering a unique tool for exploring Classical Chinese through code. As an esoteric language, it challenges conventional programming paradigms while serving as a cultural artifact that revitalizes historical language structures. Its MIT-licensed, open-source nature fosters community engagement, and its detailed version history reflects iterative refinement. For educators, it provides a creative entry point for teaching programming principles through humanities-focused contexts, making it a notable intersection of art, language, and technology.

## Notable For
- **Classical Chinese Syntax**: Commands and functions are written in traditional Chinese characters, requiring programmers to engage with ancient vocabulary.
- **Artistic Dual Identity**: Recognized both as a programming language and a conceptual artwork, emphasizing creative expression over utility.
- **Rapid Early Development**: Released 10 versions between December 2019 and January 2020, demonstrating active iteration during its initial phase.
- **Educational Tool**: Serves as a novel method for learning Classical Chinese and programming fundamentals through comparative syntax.

## Body

### Overview
Wenyan-lang is a niche programming language that translates computational logic into Classical Chinese grammatical structures. It compiles to JavaScript, enabling execution in web browsers or Node.js environments, but prioritizes syntactic design inspired by pre-modern Chinese literature.

### History
- **2019**: Initial release (v0.0.1) on December 20, followed by rapid updates, including v0.1.3 on December 31.
- **2020**: Major updates through January, culminating in v0.3.1 on January 29, which refined language specifications and compiler stability.

### Technical Features
- **Syntax**: Uses traditional Chinese characters for keywords (e.g., 「無」 for "null" and 「有」 for "true").
- **Compiler**: Translates Wenyan code into JavaScript, with support for functional programming paradigms.
- **Documentation**: User manual and language specification available in Classical Chinese and English.

### Licensing and Accessibility
- **MIT License**: Freely usable and modifiable, with source code hosted publicly on GitHub.
- **Cross-Platform**: Runs in any JavaScript-enabled environment, with no proprietary dependencies.

### Cultural Impact
- **Esolang Community**: Gained recognition among enthusiasts of esoteric languages for its linguistic novelty.
- **Educational Use**: Adopted in experimental curricula to teach programming through historical language immersion.
- **Media Coverage**: Featured in IEEE Spectrum (2020) for its unique blend of technology and classical humanities.

## References

1. [2020](https://spectrum.ieee.org/classical-chinese)
2. [2020](https://esoteric.codes/blog/wenyan-lang)
3. [Source](https://wy-lang.org/)
4. [Source](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan)
5. [Release 0.0.1. 2019](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.0.1)
6. [Release 0.1.2. 2019](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.1.2)
7. [Release 0.1.3. 2019](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.1.3)
8. [Release 0.2.0. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
9. [Release 0.2.1. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.2.1)
10. [Release 0.2.2. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.2.2)
11. [Release 0.2.3. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.2.3)
12. [Release 0.2.4. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.2.4)
13. [Release 0.3.0. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
14. [Release 0.3.1. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.3.1)
15. [Release 0.3.2. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.3.2)
16. [Release 0.3.3. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.3.3)
17. [Release 0.3.4. 2020](https://github.com/wenyan-lang/wenyan/releases/tag/v0.3.4)
18. [Source](https://lingdong.works/)