PLang

PLang is a fictional programming language used in academic texts and instructional materials to illustrate concepts in language design, type systems, and compiler construction. It is described as a general-purpose, multi-paradigm language designed to balance safety, expressiveness, and performance. The language supports functional, procedural, and object-oriented styles and uses static typing with type inference. Memory management is automatic via a generational garbage collector, with optional manual memory management through escape analysis.

The syntax is C-like, with braces and semicolons, but offers a separate let and var for immutable versus mutable bindings, and function declarations use the fn keyword. Key features include first-class functions, pattern matching, modules and a standard library, asynchronous I/O with async/await, and a foreign function interface to C. The language emphasizes a readable, expressive syntax while providing mechanisms for robust performance and interoperability.

Tooling and ecosystem are described as including a reference compiler (PLangC), a package manager (PLangPM), and modest IDE integration. The language philosophy centers on a minimal, well-defined core language complemented by an extensible standard library, aiming for readability and safety without sacrificing power.

Usage and reception of PLang are limited to teaching, research, and theoretical exploration. It is commonly referenced in discussions of type systems, concurrency models, and language ergonomics, rather than as a choice for production software. As a fictional example, it serves to illustrate how design decisions in typing, syntax, and tooling shape a programming language and its ecosystem.