Haxe is a cross-platform, multi-paradigm programming language that includes a standard library that remains the same, regardless of the platform.
Designed in 2005, The original purpose of the Haxe compiler was to encompass several web technologies under a single language. Supporting Flash, JavaScript, and Neko, web developers could use the Haxe compiler to target all three technologies without having to learn a new syntax. Given that Haxe, Flash, JavaScript, and Neko could function on Windows, macOS, and Linux, there was no need for anyone to change their preferred operating system. With an emphasis on Neko, Haxe could be further enhanced without the need to modify the compiler in any way.
Support for PHP, C++, C#, and Java were added by 2012.
Designed for web applications, Haxe can be used to directly target mobile devices like iOS and Android, but it can also be used to write applications for Linux, macOS, and Windows desktop machines.
The lead designer of Haxe was Nicolas Cannasse. The language was originally intended to be written as HaXe, although, in recent years, it is more common for it to be written as Haxe. The language is a successor to MTASC, and ActionScript compiler also designed by Cannasse.
The key feature of the language is that it can produce applications and source code for several computing platforms from one codebase. It includes a set of common functions supported across all platforms, as well as a platform-specific application programming interface (API) for several languages, and frameworks that allow the creation of multi-platform content from a single codebase. Code written in Haxe can be source-to-source compiled in ActionScript, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, Lua, PHP, Python, and Node.js. It can also compile directly to HashLink, Neko, and SWF bytecode.
The strategy of compiling to multiple source code languages is known as the write once, run anywhere paradigm. It permits programmers to choose the best platform for the particular project they have in mind. Most Haxe programs will run in the same manner on all platforms, although programmers have the option to specify platform-specific code, and can use conditional compilation to prevent it from compiling on other platforms.
Several IDEs and code editors have support for Haxe. Although the Haxe Foundation does not officially endorse any particular tool, VS Code and IntelliJ IDEA have extensions for Haxe, and are frequently used.
Haxe is object-oriented, statically typed, and it supports functional programming. Where most programming languages force a user to program in a certain fashion, Haxe offers a hybrid nature of many features and is designed to produce the best of each.
With Haxe, the boundaries between developers within a team are lowered, and collaboration is easier. Given a common language, projects can be built rapidly, with fewer errors and platform concerns, and they are easier to maintain since all members of the team understand the syntax. Classes designed for one technology can be used to compile for other technologies, and this stretches the existing technologies to their fullest capacities.
Topics related to the Haxe programming language are the focus of resources listed in this guide. IDEs, editors, compilers, and other tools designed to facilitate programming in Haxe are appropriate for this category, as are Haxe user groups, forums, tutorials, or guides.
Recommended Resources
Created and supported by the Haxe Foundation, and available under the MIT License, HashLink is a virtual machine for Haxe. HashLink bytecode can be produced by a Haxe compiler and run through HashLink or JIT virtual machine, or it can be converted to C with HL/C. The HashLink runtime is fully compatible with Haxe specifications, supports file I/O, and included Unicode strings by default. HL runtime provides support for the Haxe standard library.
https://hashlink.haxe.org/
Haxe is capable of building applications for C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, JVM, Lua, PHP, Python, and Flash, allowing access to each platform’s native capabilities. Useful for creating games, web applications, and mobile, desktop, command-line, and cross-platform APIs, Haxe is open-source. The most recent version may be downloaded from the site and galleries of applications created with Haxe are featured, along with its support plans, a manual, code cookbook, video, and other documentation.
https://haxe.org/
Haxelib is the easiest way to find libraries and code for a Haxe programming project, and a good place to share code with other Haxe programmers. Haxelib is the package manager for the Haxe toolkit. All of the libraries may be viewed in alphabetical order or they may be viewed by tag, author, or recent library updates. Instructions for getting started and using the library, as creating a Haxelib, are included. Popular libraries and popular contributors are highlighted.
https://lib.haxe.org/
The online Haxe tutorial introduces the language, along with a guide to downloading and installing the language files, and getting started programming in Haxe. The tutorial also discusses the Neko programming language, it being one of the targets supported natively by Haxe, and discusses the basics of the Neko API. Concatenation, or joining together strings of text, is also discussed, along with Neko compilation options, and compiling Haxe programs to different target platforms.
http://haxe.us/haxe_tutorial.html
The US Haxe Summit is an annual three-day event for the Haxe programming community and the makers of Haxe, featuring a mix of presentations and workshops on topics that range from game development with Haxe to other applications of the language, as well as networking with those who create Haxe technology, other developers, and users of the language. Participating speakers, sponsors, schedules, and a map showing the location of the next event are put forth.
https://summit.haxe.org/
