🎈 Fizz - A Programming Language for Kids

Fizz is a beginner-friendly programming language designed specifically for children aged 7-12. It removes common barriers like indentation sensitivity and cryptic syntax, replacing them with natural English-like commands that read like stories.

🌟 Philosophy

• Cognitive load > Syntax purity - Every rule must earn its place
• Programs read like stories - Kids understand sequences naturally
• Visual structure > invisible rules - No hidden indentation
• Errors should teach - Friendly, conversational error messages
• Immediate reward - First program runs in under 60 seconds

🎯 Design Principles

1. No indentation requirements - Blocks use explicit end keywords
2. English-like syntax - put 5 into score instead of score = 5
3. Conversational errors - Helpful messages that guide learning
4. Built-in fun - Commands like say, wait, play sound

📖 Quick Example

say "Hello, world!"

put 10 into score

repeat 3 times
    say "Jump!"
end

if score > 5
    say "You win!"
otherwise
    say "Try again!"
end

how to greet name
    say "Hello " + name
end

greet "Alex"

🏗️ Project Structure

kids-lang/
├── src/              # Source code
│   ├── lexer/        # Tokenization (breaking text into words/symbols)
│   ├── parser/       # Parsing (building program structure)
│   ├── ast/          # Abstract Syntax Tree (program representation)
│   ├── interpreter/  # Execution engine
│   └── main.cpp      # Entry point
├── include/          # Header files
├── tests/            # Test programs
├── examples/         # Example Fizz programs
└── docs/             # Documentation

🎓 Learning Journey

This project is designed to teach:

1. C++ Programming - Modern C++17 features
2. Compiler Design - Lexer, Parser, AST, Interpreter
3. Language Design - Making syntax decisions that matter

Phase 1: Lexer (Tokenization)

Breaking source code into meaningful chunks (tokens)

• Keywords: say, put, if, repeat, end
• Identifiers: variable names
• Literals: numbers, strings
• Operators: +, -, >, <

Phase 2: Parser

Building a tree structure from tokens

• Understanding grammar rules
• Creating Abstract Syntax Tree (AST)
• Handling syntax errors

Phase 3: AST (Abstract Syntax Tree)

Representing the program structure

• Expression nodes
• Statement nodes
• Function definitions

Phase 4: Interpreter

Executing the program

• Variable storage (environment)
• Expression evaluation
• Control flow (if, loops)
• Function calls

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• C++17 compatible compiler (GCC, Clang, or MSVC)
• CMake (optional, for build system)

Building

# Coming soon - we'll add build instructions as we go

Running a Fizz Program

# Coming soon
fizz my_program.fizz

📚 Language Reference

See LANGUAGE_SPEC.md for complete grammar and syntax.

🎮 Example Programs

Check the examples/ folder for:

• hello.fizz - Your first program
• counter.fizz - Variables and loops
• functions.fizz - Teaching the computer tricks
• game.fizz - A simple game

🛣️ Roadmap

• Language design & specification
• Lexer implementation
• Parser implementation
• AST definition
• Basic interpreter
• Error handling
• Standard library (say, wait, etc.)
• File I/O
• Advanced features (lists, more functions)

🤝 Contributing

This is a learning project! Contributions, suggestions, and feedback welcome.

📄 License

MIT License - Learn, share, and have fun!

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Built with ❤️ for curious young minds