97 lines
3.8 KiB
Org Mode
97 lines
3.8 KiB
Org Mode
#+OPTIONS: toc:nil
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* Zongor's Reality Engine
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:PROPERTIES:
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:CUSTOM_ID: zongors-universe-machine
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:END:
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* Overview
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- ZRE is a lightweight, portable programming language for permacomputing, game preservation, and indie game development.
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- Built in **C89** for cross-platform compatibility (desktop, microcontrollers, and web via Emscripten).
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- Designed for simplicity, performance, and creative exploration.
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- It is inspired by [[https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/uxn.html][uxn]], [[http://duskos.org/][Dusk OS]], [[https://doc.cat-v.org/inferno/4th_edition/dis_VM_specification][Dis VM]], [[https://lua.org][Lua]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisp_(programming_language)][Lisp]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_(programming_language)][C]], and [[https://ziglang.org/][Zig]].
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* Key Features
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** Core Philosophy
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- Simple, portable, lightweight
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- Targets permacomputing, game world preservation, rapid prototyping, and indie games.
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- No macros or object hierarchies—prioritizes clarity and explicit behavior.
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- C/Zig like syntax. Lisp/Lua like development workflow.
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** Engine & Tooling
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- Integrated 2D/3D rendering system:
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- Immediate-mode canvas-based 3D rendering with low-poly 5th-6th gen console aesthetics.
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- 2D overlays styled after ImGui.
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- [[https://www.libsdl.org/][SDL2]] backend for input, audio, and cross-platform compatibility.
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- Tree-walk interpreter:
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- Compile bytecode to files for performance.
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- REPL with hot-code reloading for rapid iteration.
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- Emacs major mode included; Vim, VSCode, and Lite XL support planned.
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** Language Design
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- Strongly typed but with a friendly 'let' syntax.
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- =real= type (fixed point Q16.16 by default).
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- =int= for integer numbers (i32).
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- =nat= for unsigned integer numbers (u32).
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- =byte= for interop (u8, i64, etc.).
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- 3D math primitives: =vec=, =mat=, =quat=, and more.
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- Strings with interpolation, =split=, =replace=, =trim=, etc.
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- Error handling:
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- try-catch
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- Null coalescing (=??=) and null checks (=?.=).
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- Lightweight coroutines with event-loop-driven multitasking.
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- FFI via C-defined "system calls" (examples provided in VM).
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** Modularity & Ecosystem
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- C-like arrays with fat pointers.
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- Standard library: math, networking, 3D rendering, minimal GUI.
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- =use= keyword for modular code organization via file-based namespaces.
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* Technical Details
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** VM Architecture
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- Von Neumann style bytecode interpreter written in C89.
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- Portable to new systems, microcontrollers, and web via Emscripten.
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** Memory Management
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- Reference counting for globally scoped objects.
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- =weak= keyword to avoid cyclical references.
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- garbage collection as a system call (choose when to free memory)
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- Arena allocators for short-lived, scoped memory (e.g., function-local objects).
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** Rendering & I/O
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- SDL2-based abstraction for input, audio, and rendering.
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- Immediate-mode 3D canvas with 2D overlay support.
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* Planned Projects
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1. **Code Editor with Terminal Emulator**
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- Built-in development tooling.
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2. **3D Chat Room**
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- Multiplayer cube avatars navigating a shared low-poly world.
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* Community & Collaboration
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- Website: [[https://alfrescocavern.com/][https://alfrescocavern.com/]]
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- License: GPLv3
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- Chat: Not yet
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* Roadmap
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- [ ] MVP: Core VM, REPL, and SDL2 integration.
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- [ ] 3D rendering pipeline + ImGui-style GUI.
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- [ ] Standard library and FFI examples.
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- [ ] Emacs/Vim tooling + website launch.
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- [ ] Fixed point for numbers for microcontrollers/retro computers without fpu
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- [ ] Custom renderer without SDL for portability
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* Motivation
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ZRE bridges retro-inspired creativity with modern portability for:
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- Game jams (rapid prototyping + 3D engine).
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- Indie games (5th/6th-gen aesthetics).
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- Permacomputing (low-resource, sustainable code).
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- Education (simple VM/language design).
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