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Introduction

This is the documentation wiki for the Ecstasy language (xtclang) and the XVM.

Ecstasy is an Apache-licensed, 100% Open Source, general purpose programming language, designed to address the unique challenges of cloud computing and distributed devices. The language is designed to be easily accessible for developers who already know Java, C#, and similar languages. The runtime model is designed for just-in-time (JIT), ahead-of-time (AOT), and Hotspot-style profile-driven adaptive compilation.

To begin learning the Ecstasy language, start here: Introduction to the Ecstasy Language. These are the chapters of the book:

• Introduction to the Ecstasy Language
• Creating your first module
• Your first "Hello World!"
• Understanding classes
• Understanding types
• Basic building blocks (in progress)

For additional articles discussing the language, its background, and a general overview, see the Ecstasy blog at xtclang.blogspot.com:

• Introduction
• Modules Overview
• Security Model
• Design Priorities
• Hierarchical Organization
• How to assert yourself more
• Conditional Methods
• An Introduction to the Ecstasy Type System
• A pointed paean for C
• The Quest for Equality
• Null is no Exception
• Literally awesome!
• Duck!
• A Pane in the Glass
• Composition
• Hello World! (a working example!)
• More Turtles
• Coming from Java & Part 2 & Part 3
• What is a Property?
• What is a type?
• It's the little things ...
• How to use the Ecstasy Debugger

Ecstasy is composed of:

• The Ecstasy programming language;
• The Ecstasy core library (currently in development);
• Compiler and assembler;
• A compact, portable intermediate format (IL/IR);
• A managed runtime (currently a proof-of-concept).

Constructive contributions to, suggestions about, and requests for clarification on this wiki are welcome.

Ecstasy Language Specification

• Introduction
• Expressions
• • ElseExpression
• • TernaryExpression
• • OrExpression
• • AndExpression
• • EqualityExpression
• • RelationalExpression
• • RangeExpression
• • BitwiseExpression
• • AdditiveExpression
• • MultiplicativeExpression
• • ElvisExpression
• • PrefixExpression
• • PostfixExpression
• • • NotNullExpression
• • • TypeCheckExpression
• • • SequentialExpression
• • • ArrayAccessExpression
• • • InvocationExpression (wip)
• • ReferenceExpression
• • PrimaryExpression
• • • NameExpression (wip)
• • • NewExpression (wip)
• • • LiteralExpression (wip)
• • • LambdaExpression (wip)
• • • StatementExpression (wip)
• • • SwitchExpression (wip)
• • • ToDoExpression
• • TypeExpression (wip)
• Statements
• • Declaration Statement
• • assert Statement
• • Assignment Statement
• • break Statement
• • continue Statement
• • do Statement
• • Expression Statement (wip)
• • for Statement
• • if Statement
• • import Statement (wip)
• • Labeled Statement (wip)
• • return Statement (wip)
• • Statement Block
• • switch Statement (wip)
• • try Statement (wip)
• • using Statement (wip)
• • Variable Statement (wip)
• • while Statement

Ecstasy Virtual Machine (XVM) Specification

• Introduction