How to embed ArkScript in my C++ project?

Include the ArkScript library in your CMake project, link against it, and use the Ark::VM class to load and execute scripts. The official documentation provides a step-by-step tutorial on registering C++ functions and modules.

ArkScript vs Lua for game scripting?

ArkScript offers a functional, Lisp-like syntax with macros and easier C++ embedding due to its lightweight design, while Lua is more procedural, widely adopted, and has a larger ecosystem. Choose ArkScript for functional paradigms and minimal footprint, Lua for maturity and community support.

Is ArkScript good for web development?

No, ArkScript is not designed for web development; it lacks built-in web APIs and is primarily for embedding in C++ applications. For web projects, consider JavaScript or languages with dedicated web frameworks.

How do I write macros in ArkScript?

Macros are written using Lisp-inspired syntax, allowing code transformation at compile time. Refer to the examples in the README and documentation, which show how to define and use macros for metaprogramming.

What are the performance benchmarks for ArkScript?

Performance benchmarks are available on the official website, showing decent speed for scripting tasks but not matching low-level languages. The optimizing compiler helps, but expressiveness is prioritized over raw performance.

Can I use ArkScript with other languages besides C++?

ArkScript is designed for C++ embedding; while possible to bind to other languages through interop, it's not officially supported. The focus is on C++ integration via modules and the virtual machine.

How stable is ArkScript for production use?

ArkScript has stable releases and is used in some projects, but with a single main maintainer, support might be limited. Check the GitHub issues and discussions for stability reports and consider a support contract for commercial use.

Open-Awesome

ArkScript

MPL-2.0C++v4.5.0

A small, fast, functional, and embeddable scripting language for C++ projects with Lisp-like syntax.

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715 stars52 forks0 contributors

What is ArkScript?

ArkScript is a small, fast, functional scripting language designed to be embedded in C++ projects. It provides a Lisp-inspired syntax, immutable data by default, and a portable bytecode virtual machine, allowing developers to extend their applications with a flexible scripting layer.

Target Audience

C++ developers looking to add scripting capabilities to their applications, game developers needing an embeddable language for modding or logic, and programmers interested in functional, Lisp-like languages.

Value Proposition

Developers choose ArkScript for its minimal footprint, ease of embedding in C++, functional programming features, and the power of Lisp-like macros—all while maintaining decent performance through an optimizing compiler.

Overview

ArkScript is a small, fast, functional and scripting language for C++ projects

Use Cases

Best For

Embedding a scripting engine within C++ applications or games
Adding modding support or user-defined logic to software
Learning or experimenting with functional programming concepts
Prototyping algorithms or logic in a lightweight, expressive language
Creating domain-specific languages (DSLs) using its macro system
Building tools that require a REPL for interactive development

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring maximum performance for real-time or compute-intensive systems
Teams not using C++ as their primary development language
Applications needing a large, mature ecosystem of libraries and community support
Developers preferring mutable state by default or object-oriented programming paradigms

Pros & Cons

Pros

Minimal Footprint

With a core under 8000 lines of code and only 9 keywords, ArkScript is exceptionally lightweight and easy to integrate into C++ projects without bloat.

Functional Programming Focus

Every parameter is passed by value and data is immutable by default, encouraging clean, predictable code and reducing side effects, as highlighted in the README.

Powerful Metaprogramming

Lisp-inspired macros enable code-as-data manipulation, allowing advanced DSLs and compile-time transformations directly in the language.

Easy C++ Integration

Supports C++ modules for adding custom functionalities, making it straightforward to expose C++ code to ArkScript, as shown in the embedding tutorial.

Cons

Niche Ecosystem

Compared to established scripting languages like Lua, ArkScript has a smaller community, fewer libraries, and less third-party support, which can hinder development.

Performance Trade-offs

The README admits performance isn't the top priority; while decent, it may not suffice for high-performance critical applications compared to optimized alternatives.

Single Maintainer Risk

Primarily maintained by one person, Lex Plateau, which could lead to slower bug fixes, limited feature development, and support issues for commercial use, as noted in the copyright section.

Frequently Asked Questions

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