AmigaE
Encyclopedia
Amiga E, or very often simply E, is a programming language
created by Wouter van Oortmerssen
on the Amiga
. He has since moved on to develop the SHEEP programming language for the new AmigaDE platform and the CryScript language (also known as DOG) used during the development of the popular computer game Far Cry
.
Amiga E is a combination of many features from a number of languages, but follows the original C programming language
most closely in terms of basic concepts. Amiga E's main benefits are fast compilation (allowing it to be used in place of a scripting language), very readable source code, flexible type system, powerful module system, exception handling (not C++ variant) and Object oriented programming
.
A "hello world" program
in Amiga E looks like:
PROC main
WriteF('Hello, World!')
ENDPROC
Amiga E was used to create the core of the popular Amiga graphics software Photogenics
.
1997: The last version of Amiga E is released (3.3a).
1999: Unlimited compiler executable of Amiga E is released. LINK
1999: Source code of the Amiga E compiler in M68K assembler is released under the GPL. LINK
1999: First version of CreativE is released. Based on Sourcecode of Amiga E.
1999: First version of PowerD is released. (0.01)
2000: First version of YAEC (Yet Another E Compiler) is released. (1.0)
2001: Final version of CreativE (2.12.3) is released. LINK
2002: Final version of YAEC is released (2.5d).
2002: First public release of ECX. (1.0)
2003: Final version of PowerD is released. (0.20)
2008: First public release of PortablE. (r1)
2009: First public release of PortablE for Windows OS. (r4)
Programming language
A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....
created by Wouter van Oortmerssen
Wouter van Oortmerssen
Wouter van Oortmerssen, also known as Aardappel , is a Dutch computer programmer notable for his work in game programming as well as having designed several programming languages...
on the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
. He has since moved on to develop the SHEEP programming language for the new AmigaDE platform and the CryScript language (also known as DOG) used during the development of the popular computer game Far Cry
Far Cry
Far Cry is a first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek Studios from Germany and published by Ubisoft on March 23, 2004, for Microsoft Windows. Far Cry sold 730,000 units within four months of release. It received positive reviews upon release...
.
Amiga E is a combination of many features from a number of languages, but follows the original C programming language
C (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
most closely in terms of basic concepts. Amiga E's main benefits are fast compilation (allowing it to be used in place of a scripting language), very readable source code, flexible type system, powerful module system, exception handling (not C++ variant) and Object oriented programming
Object-oriented programming
Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm using "objects" – data structures consisting of data fields and methods together with their interactions – to design applications and computer programs. Programming techniques may include features such as data abstraction,...
.
A "hello world" program
Hello world program
A "Hello world" program is a computer program that outputs "Hello world" on a display device. Because it is typically one of the simplest programs possible in most programming languages, it is by tradition often used to illustrate to beginners the most basic syntax of a programming language, or to...
in Amiga E looks like:
PROC main
WriteF('Hello, World!')
ENDPROC
Amiga E was used to create the core of the popular Amiga graphics software Photogenics
Photogenics
Photogenics is raster graphic editing software produced by Idruna Software.- Features :Photogenics can work with different color models like CMYK and HDR. HDR formats which are supported include OpenEXR, TIFF, Alias, Cineon/PDX, and so on...
.
History
1993: The first public release of Amiga E.1997: The last version of Amiga E is released (3.3a).
1999: Unlimited compiler executable of Amiga E is released. LINK
1999: Source code of the Amiga E compiler in M68K assembler is released under the GPL. LINK
1999: First version of CreativE is released. Based on Sourcecode of Amiga E.
1999: First version of PowerD is released. (0.01)
2000: First version of YAEC (Yet Another E Compiler) is released. (1.0)
2001: Final version of CreativE (2.12.3) is released. LINK
2002: Final version of YAEC is released (2.5d).
2002: First public release of ECX. (1.0)
2003: Final version of PowerD is released. (0.20)
2008: First public release of PortablE. (r1)
2009: First public release of PortablE for Windows OS. (r4)
Amiga E, by Wouter van Oortmerssen.
The first compiler, written in M68K assembler. Support tools written in E. Generates M68000 machine code directly.- Platforms: AmigaOSAmigaOSAmigaOS is the default native operating system of the Amiga personal computer. It was developed first by Commodore International, and initially introduced in 1985 with the Amiga 1000...
and compatibles. - Targets: AmigaOS with 68000 CPU.
- Status: Stable, mature, discontinued, source available, freewareFreewareFreeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
.
CreativE, by Tomasz Wiszkowski.
Based on the GPL sources of Amiga E and adds many extensions to the compiler.- Platforms: AmigaOS and compatibles.
- Targets: Like Amiga E + some limited support for generating code that takes advantage of later M680x0 CPUs.
- Status: Stable, mature, discontinued, source available, freeware.
PowerD, by Martin Kuchinka.
Based on the AmigaE language, but not compatible with it due to changes in syntax.- Platforms: AmigaOS and compatibles.
- Targets: AmigaOS 3.0 68020 CPU+FPU, PPC.
- Status: Stable, mature, under development, closed source, freeware.
YAEC, by Leif Salomonsson.
Written from scratch in E. Uses external assembler and linker.- Platforms: AmigaOS and compatibles.
- Targets: AmigaOS 3.0 with 68020 CPU and FPU.
- Status: Obsolete, unfinished, discontinued, closed source, freeware.
ECX, by Leif Salomonsson.
A compiler and tools written from scratch in E, can compile itself, supports multiple targets and adds many extensions.- Platforms: AmigaOS, AmigaOS 4AmigaOS 4AmigaOS 4, , is a line of Amiga operating systems which runs on PowerPC microprocessors. It is mainly based on AmigaOS 3.1 source code, and partially on version 3.9 developed by Haage & Partner...
and MorphOSMorphOSMorphOS is an Amiga-compatible computer operating system. It is a mixed proprietary and open source OS produced for the Pegasos PowerPC processor based computer, PowerUP accelerator equipped Amiga computers, and a series of Freescale development boards that use the Genesi firmware, including the...
. - Targets: AmigaOS 3.0 68020, AmigaOS 4, MorphOS.
- Status: Stable, mature, under development, closed source (was open source), shareware (was freeware).
PortablE, by Christopher Handley.
A meta-compiler written from scratch in E, can compile itself, supports multiple targets.- Platforms: Windows, AmigaOSAmigaOSAmigaOS is the default native operating system of the Amiga personal computer. It was developed first by Commodore International, and initially introduced in 1985 with the Amiga 1000...
(68k), AmigaOS 4AmigaOS 4AmigaOS 4, , is a line of Amiga operating systems which runs on PowerPC microprocessors. It is mainly based on AmigaOS 3.1 source code, and partially on version 3.9 developed by Haage & Partner...
(PPC), AROSArosAros may refer to:*Aros , a river in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium*AROS Research Operating System, a free software implementation of AmigaOS* Aros, the original Viking name of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark...
and MorphOSMorphOSMorphOS is an Amiga-compatible computer operating system. It is a mixed proprietary and open source OS produced for the Pegasos PowerPC processor based computer, PowerUP accelerator equipped Amiga computers, and a series of Freescale development boards that use the Genesi firmware, including the...
. - Targets: C++ and Amiga E.
- Status: Stable, mature, under development, closed source, freeware.