Designed by Nicolas Cannasse in 2005, and developed first at Motion Twin, then at Shiro Games, Neko is a high-level, dynamically typed programming language used in conjunction with NekoVM, the virtual machine that executes Neko bytecode files.
Neko can be used as an embedded scripting language, and to provide a common runtime for several different languages. Programmers can easily extend the language with C libraries, and generators can be written from another language to Neko, using the Neko runtime to compile, run, and access existing libraries.
Neko has a compiler and a virtual machine, which is lightweight and well-optimized. The compiler converts a source file into a bytecode that can be executed through the virtual machine. Written in Neko, it is fast. The compiler can be used as a standalone command-line executable, separate from the virtual machine, or as a Neko library to perform compile-and-run functions for interactive languages. The VM can be embedded into any application, and libraries can be accessed through the C foreign function interface.
Neko is frequently used in conjunction with the Haxe programming language, developed by the Haxe Foundation, as both languages were designed by the same author, and Haxe includes a Neko target in its compiler. The Neko/HaxeFlixel 2D Game Engine, and the Haxe/Neko Server-Client communication, in Haxe 3, are examples of the use of dual languages.
Neko is free software, and its source code is available under the MIT license.
Neko and NekoVM are the focus of resources in this category. These, and any tools designed to facilitate programming in Neko, as well as user groups, forums, tutorials, or guides on the language are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
FreshPorts: Neko Programming Language and Virtual Machine
FreshPorts is a collection of files that are assembled in order to make it easier to install an application. Its Neko page includes a brief synopsis of the language and VM, as well as links to the official language page, including the installation pages for the port and package files, as well as required dependencies. Package names are given, along with distribution size and other information. Configuration options and uses are discussed, and a commit history is included.
https://www.freshports.org/lang/neko
The Neko programming language is high-level, dynamically-typed, and can be used as an embedded scripting language. Created by Nicolas Cannasse, the language, compiler, libraries, and other packages are available as free software under the MIT License. Downloads for various platforms are available, along with a starter’s guide, documentation, and programming language specifications, the Neko Standard Library API, development notes, and contacts.
https://nekovm.org/
Using a Wiki format, Rosetta Code is a repository for computer code. Developed by Nicolas Cannasse, Neko is a high-level, dynamically-typed programming language, as well as the name used for a virtual machine bytecode interpreter that can be embedded in other languages. The Rosetta Code’s section on Neko includes an overview of the language, as well as code examples for several applications, which are sorted alphabetically. As a Wiki, readers are encouraged to contribute.
http://rosettacode.org/wiki/Category:Neko
