# Xtend > general-purpose high-level programming language **Wikidata**: [Q1691738](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1691738) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xtend) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xtend ## Summary Xtend is a general-purpose, high-level programming language first introduced in 2011. Developed by TypeFox GmbH and sponsored by the Eclipse Foundation, it is designed to support object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming paradigms. The language is characterized by its strong, static typing discipline that utilizes type inference to reduce verbosity. ## Key Facts - **Inception:** The language was created in 2011. - **Developer:** TypeFox GmbH. - **Sponsor:** Eclipse Foundation. - **License:** Eclipse Public License. - **Typing Discipline:** Static typing, strong typing, and inference typing. - **Programming Paradigms:** Object-oriented programming, imperative programming, and functional programming. - **Influences:** The language has been influenced by Java, Apache Groovy, Smalltalk, and Eclipse Xpand. - **Current Version:** Version 2.19.0 (Release notes published 2019-09-02). - **File Format:** Utilizes the Xtend file format for both reading and writing. ## FAQs ### Q: What programming paradigms does Xtend support? A: Xtend is a multi-paradigm language that supports object-oriented programming, imperative programming, and functional programming styles. ### Q: Who develops and maintains Xtend? A: Xtend is developed by TypeFox GmbH and is sponsored by the Eclipse Foundation. It is released under the Eclipse Public License. ### Q: How does Xtend handle typing? A: Xtend uses a strong, static typing system. However, it employs inference typing, which allows the compiler to deduce types automatically, reducing the need for explicit type declarations in the code. ### Q: What languages influenced the design of Xtend? A: The design of Xtend was influenced by several major languages, including Java, Apache Groovy, Smalltalk, and Eclipse Xpand. ## Why It Matters Xtend serves as a modern solution for developers seeking a concise yet robust language within the Java ecosystem. While it incorporates the familiar object-oriented and imperative structures of Java, it significantly reduces syntactic overhead through features like type inference and lambda expressions, drawing inspiration from languages like Groovy and Smalltalk. The language matters particularly in the context of Eclipse-based development and domain-specific language (DSL) creation. By combining functional programming capabilities with strict static typing, Xtend aims to offer the safety of Java with the expressiveness of scripting languages. Its sponsorship by the Eclipse Foundation and development by TypeFox GmbH ensure it remains integrated with modern development tools and IDEs, specifically those built on the Eclipse platform. This positions Xtend as a relevant tool for enterprise applications where type safety is critical, but developer productivity (via concise code) is also a priority. ## Notable For - **Hybrid Typing System:** Notable for combining strong, static typing with type inference, a feature it shares with modern languages like Kotlin and Scala, distinguishing it from purely dynamically typed scripting languages. - **Eclipse Ecosystem Integration:** It is distinctively sponsored by the Eclipse Foundation and developed by TypeFox, making it a first-class citizen in the Eclipse development environment. - **Multi-Paradigm Flexibility:** Unlike languages restricted to a single style, Xtend allows developers to seamlessly mix object-oriented, imperative, and functional code. - **Legacy of Xpand:** It serves as a spiritual successor to Eclipse Xpand, modernizing the approach to model-to-text transformations. ## Body ### Development and History Xtend was conceived as a general-purpose high-level programming language to address verbosity common in older enterprise languages. The project officially began in 2011. It is developed by the German software company TypeFox GmbH, known for their work on language engineering tools. The project operates under the stewardship of the Eclipse Foundation, adhering to the open-source Eclipse Public License. ### Technical Specifications The language is designed to be highly flexible, accommodating various coding styles through its support for multiple paradigms: * **Object-Oriented Programming:** Encouraging the use of classes and objects. * **Functional Programming:** Supporting lambdas and function manipulation. * **Imperative Programming:** Allowing statements that change program state. **Typing and Compilation:** Xtend employs a sophisticated type system. It is statically typed, meaning type checking occurs at compile-time, and strongly typed, preventing type errors. However, it utilizes **inference typing**, allowing developers to omit type declarations when the compiler can deduce them, resulting in cleaner code that resembles dynamic languages like Python or Groovy while retaining the performance and safety of static typing. **Influences:** The syntax and features of Xtend are a composite of several predecessor technologies: * **Java:** Providing the foundational object-oriented model. * **Apache Groovy:** Inspiring the concise syntax and scripting feel. * **Smalltalk:** Influencing its block syntax and messaging concepts. * **Eclipse Xpand:** Serving as a technical ancestor regarding template expansion. ### Versions and Availability As of late 2019, the stable release of the language was version **2.19.0**. The official website is hosted by the Eclipse Foundation at `https://eclipse.dev/Xtext/xtend/index.html`, with archives maintained at `xtend-lang.org`. The language is widely documented across several Wikipedia languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, and Chinese (Yue). ## References 1. [Xtend - Release Notes. 2019](https://www.eclipse.org/xtend/releasenotes.html)