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Nolang Introduction

Nolang is a memory-safe, GC-free systems programming language with intuitive semantics and minimal syntax.

Core Features​

  • Memory-safe, no GC: No garbage collector; automatic, safe memory management. Through the safe scope model, memory is automatically freed when leaving scope — no dangling pointers or memory leaks. Heap allocation is batched up-front, and a single batch free runs when the scope exits.
  • Semantically intuitive: Respects developer intent; no pointers, ownership, or lifetimes as hidden mental overhead.
  • Minimal syntax: Fewer keywords, simpler syntax.
  • Pass by reference: All function parameters are references; functions return results by modifying parameters.
  • Performance-first: Small strings require no heap allocation; variables can be allocated once and freed once.
  • Method overloading: Efficient performance through monomorphization.
  • Interfaces: Support interface declaration, default implementations, and multi-interface inheritance.
  • Generics: Support type and value generics.
  • Pattern matching: Unique match design, simpler to use.

Quick Start​

; Hello, World!
; No main entry point needed
print('Hello, Nolang!')

; Variable declaration
i64

; Function definition
add = (a i64, b i64) (result i64) {
    result = a + b
}

; Standard library method, can be called directly
c = math.max(a, b)

; Struct
user {
    name str
    age i64
}

u = user {
    name: 'Alice'
    age: 30
}

; Method
user.greet = () {
    print('Hello, ' - .name)
}

u.greet()

Projects​

  • notools — A collection of common Unix command-line tools implemented in Nolang, including cat, ls, grep, wc, head, tail, and more. Demonstrates Nolang's real-world system programming capabilities.