Discussion summary

Hica is a new functional programming language inspired by Koka, aiming for approachable syntax and safety features. Developers find it interesting and comparable to languages like Python and Shen, with some usability issues on mobile browsers.

What the discussion says

  • Hica has a Python-like syntax and safety guarantees.
  • It is based on Koka and Shen, with a focus on simplicity.
  • Some users mention UI issues on mobile browsers.
Looks very tasteful! Good job!
xixixao
It feels like C#, so it seems easy to learn.
jdw64

Comments

Hacker News

Looks very tasteful! Good job!

by xixixao

It feels like C#, so it seems easy to learn. Looks fun.

by jdw64

Does this aims to be the python of functional programming languages?

by mogoh

That's roughly the positioning, yes. Approachable syntax, low ceremony, runs scripts directly. The difference is that the safety guarantees (no null, tracked effects, exhaustive matching) come for free rather than being opt-in via type checkers.

I did a comparison to python which shows the differences, and where they are similar: https://www.hica.dev/docs/hica-vs-python/

by cladamski79

Looks good. If it is not too early to ask, how fast are compile times and executables, and informative are the error messages?

by esafak

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting, especially since it’s based on Koka, which I’ve been experimenting with and still trying to wrap my head around. It also reminds me a lot of Shen (https://shenlanguage.org/). I’ll definitely try this out.

How do you pronounce the name?

by nyankosensei

I created a backronym of a longwinded name and I pronounce it as hi-ca, or perhaps hee-ca :)

Shen is very interesting, I actually created a lisp in hica as a learning exercise, check it out at https://github.com/cladam/hica-lisp

by cladamski79

Quick fyi that your website is “zoomed in” on mobile safari and a little difficult to use

(Apologies if it’s just my device)

I’ll take a closer look on my desktop later today, I love seeing new programming languages. Sounds interesting!

by blanched

Same here. Needs one of those "standard" html headers, I think.

by tgv

I took a look and added -webkit-text-size-adjust to please Safari, hope it helps. And thanks!

by cladamski79

hica is a functional, expression-based programming language, everything is an expression and immutable by default. Its goal is to make programming very approachable for beginners (and veterans alike). You learn by doing small programs, then dive deeper on a thing you really want to build.

This is a guide on functional programming which covers immutability, higher-order functions, pipelines, and more, all with runnable examples.

If that is to theoretical there is https://www.hica.dev/docs/hica-for-beginners/ that walks through functions, pattern matching, and lists by building real programs.

Happy to answer questions about the design decisions, the implementation or how to get started.

by cladamski79

Any concurrency / parallelism?

by smw

Any examples of bigger and practical projects written in hica?

by alfanick

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  • Hacker News
  • Looks very tasteful! Good job!
    by xixixao
  • It feels like C#, so it seems easy to learn. Looks fun.
    by jdw64
  • Does this aims to be the python of functional programming languages?
    by mogoh
  • That's roughly the positioning, yes. Approachable syntax, low ceremony, runs scripts directly. The difference is that the safety guarantees (no null, tracked effects, exhaustive matching) come for free rather than being opt-in via type checkers.

    I did a comparison to python which shows the differences, and where they are similar: https://www.hica.dev/docs/hica-vs-python/

    by cladamski79
  • Looks good. If it is not too early to ask, how fast are compile times and executables, and informative are the error messages?
    by esafak
  • Thanks for sharing. Very interesting, especially since it’s based on Koka, which I’ve been experimenting with and still trying to wrap my head around. It also reminds me a lot of Shen (https://shenlanguage.org/). I’ll definitely try this out.

    How do you pronounce the name?

    by nyankosensei
  • I created a backronym of a longwinded name and I pronounce it as hi-ca, or perhaps hee-ca :)

    Shen is very interesting, I actually created a lisp in hica as a learning exercise, check it out at https://github.com/cladam/hica-lisp

    by cladamski79
  • Quick fyi that your website is “zoomed in” on mobile safari and a little difficult to use

    (Apologies if it’s just my device)

    I’ll take a closer look on my desktop later today, I love seeing new programming languages. Sounds interesting!

    by blanched
  • Same here. Needs one of those "standard" html headers, I think.
    by tgv
  • I took a look and added -webkit-text-size-adjust to please Safari, hope it helps. And thanks!
    by cladamski79
  • hica is a functional, expression-based programming language, everything is an expression and immutable by default. Its goal is to make programming very approachable for beginners (and veterans alike). You learn by doing small programs, then dive deeper on a thing you really want to build.

    This is a guide on functional programming which covers immutability, higher-order functions, pipelines, and more, all with runnable examples.

    If that is to theoretical there is https://www.hica.dev/docs/hica-for-beginners/ that walks through functions, pattern matching, and lists by building real programs.

    Happy to answer questions about the design decisions, the implementation or how to get started.

    by cladamski79
  • Any concurrency / parallelism?
    by smw
  • Any examples of bigger and practical projects written in hica?
    by alfanick

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