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Io

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Description #

Io is a minimal, prototype-based programming language that blends ideas from Smalltalk, Lisp, and JavaScript. It is dynamically typed, uses message-passing for all operations, and emphasizes simplicity and flexibility in language design.

History #

Io was created by Steve Dekorte in the early 2000s as a language focused on minimalism and prototype-based object orientation. It was developed to explore new programming paradigms and language simplicity. Io gained popularity for educational and experimental purposes.

Hello World Code #

"Hello, World!" println

How to Run #

Option 1: Online

Option 2: Local

  1. Install Io from Official GitHub or your package manager
  2. Create a file hello.io with:
"Hello, World!" println

Run it:

io hello.io

Key Concepts #

  • Prototype-based object model
  • Message passing for all operations
  • Minimal syntax and keywords
  • Strong meta-programming support
  • Coroutines and asynchronous messaging
  • First-class code blocks and objects
  • Reflection and dynamic code evaluation
  • Influenced by Smalltalk, Self, and Lisp
  • Flexible and lightweight
  • Great for exploring programming language theory

Try It Online #

Fun Facts #

  • In Io, even control structures are implemented with message passing.
  • Io has been used in academic courses on language design.
  • The entire Io language is small enough to understand in a few days.

Resources #

Updated on June 9, 2025

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