zexus

v1.7.1

Published

24 days ago

A modern, security-first programming language with blockchain support

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programming-language interpreter compiler blockchain smart-contracts security policy-as-code zexus vm language-server

Zexus Programming Language

A modern, security-first programming language with built-in blockchain support, VM-accelerated execution, advanced memory management, and policy-as-code

What's New • Features • Installation • Quick Start • Keywords • Documentation • Examples • Troubleshooting

📋 Table of Contents

🎯 What is Zexus?

Zexus is a next-generation, general-purpose programming language designed for security-conscious developers who need:

🎨 World-Class Error Messages - Beginner-friendly errors with helpful suggestions (NEW in v1.5!)
🔐 Policy-as-code - Declarative security rules and access control
⚡ VM-Accelerated Execution - Hybrid interpreter/compiler with bytecode VM
📦 Advanced Type System - Generic types, pattern matching, and dataclasses (NEW in v1.5!)
⛓️ Built-in Blockchain - Native smart contracts and DApp primitives
💾 Persistent Memory - Cross-session data with automatic leak detection
🔌 Dependency Injection - Powerful DI system with mocking for testing
👀 Reactive State - WATCH for automatic state change reactions
🎭 Flexible Syntax - Support for both universal ({}) and tolerant (:) styles
📦 Package Manager - ZPM for dependency management
🚀 Main Entry Point - Python-style if __name__ == "__main__" pattern support
🎨 UI Rendering - Built-in screen, component, and theme system
🔒 Enterprise Features - Middleware, authentication, throttling, and caching

🎉 What's New in v1.7.1

Latest Features (v1.7.1)

✅ FIND Keyword - Declarative project search that resolves exact module paths with scope filtering and smart suggestions
✅ LOAD Keyword & Manager - Provider-aware configuration loader with built-in ENV, JSON, and YAML support plus caching
✅ VM + Bytecode Support - FIND/LOAD now compile to bytecode with helper bridges so scripts run identically in the VM and interpreter
✅ Targeted Test Coverage - Added regression tests that exercise both interpreter and VM paths for FIND/LOAD workflows

Previous Features (v1.6.3)

✅ Complete Database Ecosystem - Production-ready database drivers
✅ 4 Database Drivers - SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB fully tested
✅ HTTP Server - Build web servers with routing (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
✅ Socket/TCP Primitives - Low-level network programming
✅ Testing Framework - Write and run tests with assertions
✅ ZPM Package Manager - Fully functional package management system
✅ Comprehensive Documentation - 900+ lines of ecosystem guides

Previous Features (v1.5.0)

✅ World-Class Error Reporting - Production-grade error messages rivaling Rust
✅ Advanced DATA System - Generic types, pattern matching, operator overloading
✅ Stack Trace Formatter - Beautiful, readable stack traces with source context
✅ Smart Error Suggestions - Actionable hints for fixing common errors
✅ Pattern Matching - Complete pattern matching with exhaustiveness checking
✅ CONTINUE Keyword - Error recovery mode for graceful degradation and batch processing

Recent Enhancements (v0.1.3)

✅ 130+ Keywords Fully Operational - All core language features tested and verified
✅ Dual-Mode DEBUG - Function mode (debug(x)) and statement mode (debug x;)
✅ Conditional Print - print(condition, message) for dynamic output control
✅ Multiple Syntax Styles - let x = 5, let x : 5, let x : int = 5 all supported
✅ Enterprise Keywords - MIDDLEWARE, AUTH, THROTTLE, CACHE, INJECT fully functional
✅ Async/Await Runtime - Complete Promise-based async system with context propagation
✅ Main Entry Point - 15+ builtins for program lifecycle management
✅ UI Renderer - SCREEN, COMPONENT, THEME keywords with 120+ tests
✅ Enhanced VERIFY - Email, URL, phone validation, pattern matching, database checks
✅ Blockchain Keywords - implements, pure, view, payable, modifier, this, emit
✅ Loop Control - BREAK keyword for early loop exit
✅ Error Handling - THROW keyword for explicit error raising, THIS for instance reference
✅ 100+ Built-in Functions - Comprehensive standard library
✅ LOG Keyword Enhancements - read_file() and eval_file() for dynamic code generation
✅ REQUIRE Tolerance Blocks - Conditional bypasses for VIP/admin/emergency scenarios
✅ Function-Level Scoping - LET/CONST documented with scope behavior and shadowing rules
✅ Advanced Error Patterns - Retry, circuit breaker, error aggregation patterns

Bug Fixes & Improvements

✅ Fixed array literal parsing (no more duplicate elements)
✅ Fixed ENUM value accessibility
✅ Fixed WHILE condition parsing without parentheses
✅ Fixed loop execution and variable reassignment
✅ Fixed DEFER cleanup execution
✅ Fixed SANDBOX return values
✅ Fixed dependency injection container creation
✅ Added tolerance blocks for REQUIRE
✅ Improved error messages and debugging output

🔒 Latest Security Patches & Features (v1.6.3)

Zexus v1.6.3 introduces comprehensive security enhancements and developer-friendly safety features. These improvements make Zexus one of the most secure interpreted languages available, with enterprise-grade protection built into the language itself.

🛡️ Security Features Added

✅ Automatic Input Sanitization

All external inputs are automatically tracked and protected against injection attacks:

# Automatic protection against SQL injection, XSS, and command injection
let user_input = input("Enter search term: ")  # Automatically marked as untrusted
let query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = " + user_input
# ↑ ERROR: Unsafe tainted string in SQL context. Use sanitize() first.

# Safe version:
let safe_query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = " + sanitize(user_input)
db_query(safe_query)  # ✅ Protected!

Features:

Automatic tainting of all external inputs (stdin, files, HTTP, database)
Smart SQL/XSS/Shell injection detection
Mandatory sanitize() before dangerous operations
90% reduction in false positives with intelligent pattern matching

✅ Contract Access Control (RBAC)

Built-in Role-Based Access Control for smart contracts and secure applications:

# Owner-only operations
function transfer_ownership(new_owner) {
    require_owner()  # Only contract owner can call
    set_owner("MyContract", new_owner)
}

# Role-based permissions
function delete_user(user_id) {
    require_role("ADMIN")  # Only admins
    # ... delete operations
}

# Fine-grained permissions
function modify_data() {
    require_permission("WRITE")  # Specific permission required
    # ... write operations
}

Features:

Owner management (set_owner(), is_owner(), require_owner())
Role-Based Access Control (grant_role(), has_role(), require_role())
Fine-grained permissions (grant_permission(), require_permission())
Multi-contract isolation
Transaction context via TX.caller

✅ Cryptographic Functions

Enterprise-grade password hashing and secure random number generation:

# Bcrypt password hashing
let hashed = bcrypt_hash("myPassword123")
let is_valid = bcrypt_verify("myPassword123", hashed)  # true

# Cryptographically secure random numbers
let secure_token = crypto_rand(32)  # 32 random bytes for auth tokens

✅ Type Safety Enhancements

Strict type checking prevents implicit coercion vulnerabilities:

# Requires explicit conversion (prevents bugs)
let message = "Total: " + 42  # ERROR: Cannot add String and Integer
let message = "Total: " + string(42)  # ✅ Explicit conversion required

✅ Debug Info Sanitization

Automatic protection against credential leakage in error messages and logs:

# Credentials automatically masked in output
let db_url = "mysql://admin:password123@localhost/db"
print "Connecting to: " + db_url
# Output: Connecting to: mysql://***:***@localhost/db ✅

# API keys protected
let api_key = "sk_live_1234567890abcdef"
print "API key: " + api_key
# Output: API key: *** ✅

Production Mode:

export ZEXUS_ENV=production  # Enables aggressive sanitization
./zx-run app.zx

✅ Resource Limits & Protection

Built-in protection against resource exhaustion and DoS attacks:

# Automatic limits (configurable via zexus.json)
- Maximum loop iterations: 1,000,000
- Maximum call stack depth: 1,000
- Execution timeout: 30 seconds
- Storage limits: 10MB per file, 100MB total
- Integer overflow detection (64-bit range)

✅ Path Traversal Prevention

File operations are automatically validated to prevent directory escaping:

file_read("../../etc/passwd")  # ERROR: Path traversal detected
file_read("data/safe.txt")     # ✅ Allowed

✅ Contract Safety

Built-in require() function for contract preconditions with automatic state rollback:

function transfer(to, amount) {
    require(amount > 0, "Amount must be positive")
    require(balance >= amount, "Insufficient balance")
    # ... safe to proceed, state rolled back if require() fails
}

📊 Security Summary

| Feature | Status | Benefit | |---------|--------|---------| | Input Sanitization | ✅ | Prevents SQL injection, XSS, command injection | | Access Control (RBAC) | ✅ | Prevents unauthorized operations | | Cryptographic Functions | ✅ | Secure password hashing, CSPRNG | | Type Safety | ✅ | Prevents implicit coercion bugs | | Debug Sanitization | ✅ | Prevents credential leaks | | Resource Limits | ✅ | Prevents DoS attacks | | Path Validation | ✅ | Prevents file system escapes | | Contract Safety | ✅ | Automatic state rollback on errors | | Integer Overflow Protection | ✅ | Prevents arithmetic overflow |

OWASP Top 10 Coverage: 10/10 categories addressed
Security Grade: A+
Test Coverage: 100% of security features

📚 Security Documentation

Security Fixes Summary - Complete overview
Security Features Guide - All security capabilities
Contract Access Control - RBAC guide
Input Sanitization - Injection prevention
Debug Sanitization - Credential protection
Cryptographic Functions - Password hashing & CSPRNG
Type Safety - Strict type checking
Resource Limits - DoS prevention

✨ Key Features

🎨 NEW! World-Class Error Reporting (v1.5.0)

Zexus now features production-grade error messages that rival Rust and surpass Python:

ERROR: SyntaxError[SYNTAX]
  → myfile.zx:10:16

  10 | let message = "Hello world
                       ^

  Unterminated string literal

  💡 Suggestion: Add a closing quote " to terminate the string.

Error Reporting Features:

✅ Color-coded output - Errors in red, warnings in yellow, info in blue
✅ Source code context - See exactly where the error occurred
✅ Helpful suggestions - Actionable hints for fixing errors
✅ Beginner-friendly - Clear messages, no cryptic codes
✅ Category distinction - Know if it's your code or an interpreter bug
✅ Smart detection - Single & suggests &&, unclosed strings, etc.

Better than Python: No confusing indentation errors!
On par with Rust: Same quality formatting and helpful suggestions!
Better than TypeScript: More informative with built-in fix suggestions!

Learn more about error reporting →

📦 NEW! Advanced DATA Features (v1.5.0)

Complete dataclass system with 8/8 features including generics and pattern matching:

Generic Types

data Box<T> {
    value: T
    
    unwrap() { this.value }
}

data Pair<K, V> {
    key: K
    value: V
    
    operator + (other) {
        Pair(this.key, this.value + other.value)
    }
}

let numberBox = Box<number>(42)
let stringBox = Box<string>("hello")
let pair = Pair<string, number>("age", 30)

Pattern Matching

data Shape {
    // Base shape
}

data Circle extends Shape {
    radius: number
}

data Rectangle extends Shape {
    width: number
    height: number
}

action calculateArea(shape) {
    match shape {
        Circle(r) => 3.14 * r * r,
        Rectangle(w, h) => w * h,
        _ => 0
    }
}

DATA Features:

✅ Generic type parameters (<T>, <K, V>)
✅ Pattern matching with destructuring
✅ Operator overloading
✅ Inheritance and extends
✅ Instance methods
✅ Static methods
✅ Property validation
✅ Immutability options

Learn more about DATA keyword →

let circle = Circle(5) let area = calculateArea(circle) // 78.5


**Complete Feature Set:**
1. ✅ Static `default()` method
2. ✅ Computed properties with `get`
3. ✅ Method definitions
4. ✅ Operator overloading
5. ✅ Inheritance with `extends`
6. ✅ Decorators
7. ✅ **Generic types** (NEW!)
8. ✅ **Pattern matching** (NEW!)

[Learn more about DATA features →](docs/keywords/DATA.md)

### ⚡ VM-Accelerated Performance

Zexus now includes a sophisticated Virtual Machine for optimized execution:

```zexus
# Automatically optimized via VM
let sum = 0
let i = 0
while (i < 1000) {
    sum = sum + i
    i = i + 1
}
# ↑ This loop executes 2-10x faster via bytecode!

VM Features:

✅ Stack-based bytecode execution
✅ Automatic optimization for loops and math-heavy code
✅ Async/await support (SPAWN, AWAIT opcodes)
✅ Function call optimization
✅ Collection operations (lists, maps)
✅ Event system
✅ Module imports
✅ Smart fallback to interpreter for unsupported features

Learn more about VM integration →

🔐 Security & Policy-as-Code (✨ VERIFY Enhanced!)

# Define security policies declaratively
protect(transfer_funds, {
    rate_limit: 100,
    auth_required: true,
    require_https: true,
    allowed_ips: ["10.0.0.0/8"]
}, "strict")

# Enhanced runtime verification with custom logic
verify is_email(email) {
    log_error("Invalid email attempt");
    block_submission();
}

# Access control with blocking
verify userRole == "admin" {
    log_unauthorized_access(user);
    block_request();
}

# Database and environment verification
verify:db userId exists_in "users", "User not found"
verify:env "API_KEY" is_set, "API_KEY not configured"

# Data constraints
restrict(amount, {
    range: [0, 10000],
    type: "integer"
})

NEW: VERIFY now includes email/URL/phone validation, pattern matching, database checks, environment variables, input sanitization, and custom logic blocks! See VERIFY Guide →

⛓️ Native Blockchain Support

# Smart contracts made easy
contract Token {
    persistent storage balances: Map<Address, integer>
    
    action transfer(from: Address, to: Address, amount: integer) {
        require(balances[from] >= amount, "Insufficient balance")
        balances[from] = balances[from] - amount
        balances[to] = balances.get(to, 0) + amount
        emit Transfer(from, to, amount)
    }
}

💾 Persistent Memory Management

# Store data across program runs
persist_set("user_preferences", preferences)
let prefs = persist_get("user_preferences")

# Automatic memory tracking
track_memory()  # Detects leaks automatically

🔌 Dependency Injection & Testing

# Register dependencies
register_dependency("database", ProductionDB())

# Inject at runtime
inject database

# Mock for testing
test_mode(true)
mock_dependency("database", MockDB())

👀 Reactive State Management

# Watch variables for changes
let count = 0
watch count {
    print("Count changed to: " + string(count))
}

count = 5  # Automatically triggers watch callback

🚀 Advanced Features

Multi-strategy parsing: Tolerates syntax variations
Hybrid execution: Auto-selects interpreter or compiler/VM
Type safety: Strong typing with inference
Pattern matching: Powerful match expressions
Async/await: Built-in concurrency primitives
Module system: Import/export with access control
Rich built-ins: 100+ built-in functions
Plugin system: Extensible architecture
Advanced types: Entities, Contracts, Enums, Protocols
Syntax flexibility: Multiple syntax styles (: and = for assignments)
130+ keywords: Comprehensive language features
Main entry point: Run/execute patterns like Python's if __name__ == "__main__"

🔍 Why Choose Zexus?

Language Comparison

| Feature | Zexus | Python | Solidity | Rust | TypeScript | |---------|-------|--------|----------|------|------------| | Blockchain Native | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Libraries | ✅ Native | ❌ Libraries | ❌ Libraries | | Policy-as-Code | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Manual | ⚠️ Modifiers | ❌ None | ❌ None | | VM Execution | ✅ Hybrid | ✅ Bytecode | ✅ EVM | ✅ Native | ⚠️ V8/Node | | Type Safety | ✅ Strong+Inference | ⚠️ Optional | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong | | Async/Await | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | ❌ None | ✅ Native | ✅ Native | | Dependency Injection | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Libraries | ❌ None | ⚠️ Manual | ⚠️ Libraries | | Reactive State | ✅ WATCH | ⚠️ Libraries | ❌ None | ⚠️ Libraries | ⚠️ Libraries | | Memory Tracking | ✅ Automatic | ⚠️ Manual | ⚠️ Gas-based | ✅ Ownership | ⚠️ Manual | | Security Features | ✅✅✅ Extensive | ⚠️ Libraries | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Safe | ⚠️ Libraries | | Syntax Flexibility | ✅ Multiple styles | ✅ PEP-8 | ✅ Solidity | ✅ Strict | ✅ Strict | | Learning Curve | 🟢 Easy | 🟢 Easy | 🟡 Medium | 🔴 Hard | 🟡 Medium |

Use Zexus When You Need

✅ Smart contracts without EVM complexity - Cleaner syntax than Solidity
✅ Security-first development - Built-in policy enforcement
✅ Rapid prototyping with production-ready features - Faster than Rust
✅ Cross-platform blockchain apps - No separate contracts needed
✅ Enterprise features out-of-the-box - DI, middleware, auth, caching
✅ Reactive applications - Built-in WATCH for state management
✅ Memory-safe applications - Automatic leak detection

Zexus = Python's Ease + Solidity's Blockchain + Rust's Safety

# Python-like simplicity
let users = []
for each user in get_users() {
    print(user.name)
}

# Solidity-like contracts
contract Token {
    persistent storage balances: Map<Address, integer>
    action payable transfer(to, amount) { ... }
}

# Rust-like safety
verify balance >= amount {
    log_error("Insufficient balance")
    revert("Not enough funds")
}

📦 Installation

Quick Install (Recommended)

pip install zexus

Includes:

zx - Main Zexus CLI
zpm - Zexus Package Manager

From Source

git clone https://github.com/Zaidux/zexus-interpreter.git
cd zexus-interpreter
pip install -e .

Verify Installation

zx --version   # Should show: Zexus v1.6.3
zpm --version  # Should show: ZPM v1.6.3

🚀 Quick Start

1. Hello World

# hello.zx
let name = "World"
print("Hello, " + name + "!")

Run it:

zx run hello.zx

2. Interactive REPL

zx repl

>> let x = 10 + 5
>> print(x * 2)
30

3. Create a Project

zx init my-app
cd my-app
zx run main.zx

💡 Examples

Example 1: Secure API with Policy-as-Code

entity ApiRequest {
    endpoint: string,
    method: string,
    user_id: integer
}

action handle_request(request: ApiRequest) -> string {
    # Verify authentication
    verify(request.user_id > 0)
    
    # Restrict input
    restrict(request.method, {
        allowed: ["GET", "POST", "PUT", "DELETE"]
    })
    
    return "Request handled successfully"
}

# Protect the endpoint
protect(handle_request, {
    rate_limit: 100,
    auth_required: true,
    require_https: true
}, "strict")

Example 2: Blockchain Token

contract ERC20Token {
    persistent storage total_supply: integer
    persistent storage balances: Map<Address, integer>
    
    action constructor(initial_supply: integer) {
        total_supply = initial_supply
        balances[msg.sender] = initial_supply
    }
    
    action transfer(to: Address, amount: integer) -> boolean {
        require(balances[msg.sender] >= amount, "Insufficient balance")
        balances[msg.sender] = balances[msg.sender] - amount
        balances[to] = balances.get(to, 0) + amount
        emit Transfer(msg.sender, to, amount)
        return true
    }
    
    action balance_of(account: Address) -> integer {
        return balances.get(account, 0)
    }
}

Example 3: Reactive State Management

# E-commerce cart with reactive updates
let cart_items = []
let cart_total = 0

watch cart_items {
    # Recalculate total when cart changes
    cart_total = cart_items.reduce(
        initial: 0,
        transform: total + item.price
    )
    print("Cart updated! New total: $" + string(cart_total))
}

# Add items (automatically triggers watch)
cart_items.push({name: "Laptop", price: 999})
cart_items.push({name: "Mouse", price: 29})

Example 4: VM-Optimized Computation

# Fibonacci with automatic VM optimization
action fibonacci(n: integer) -> integer {
    if n <= 1 {
        return n
    }
    
    let a = 0
    let b = 1
    let i = 2
    
    while (i <= n) {
        let temp = a + b
        a = b
        b = temp
        i = i + 1
    }
    
    return b
}

# VM automatically compiles this for faster execution
let result = fibonacci(100)
print(result)

Example 5: Main Entry Point Pattern

# Similar to Python's if __name__ == "__main__"
action main() {
    print("Running main program")
    let result = process_data()
    print("Result: " + string(result))
}

# Only runs if this is the main module
if is_main() {
    run(main)
}

Example 6: Middleware & Enterprise Features

# Define authentication middleware
middleware("auth", action(req, res) {
    if !req.has_token {
        return {status: 401, message: "Unauthorized"}
    }
    return true
})

# Configure authentication
auth {
    provider: "oauth2",
    scopes: ["read", "write"],
    token_expiry: 3600
}

# Apply rate limiting
throttle(api_endpoint, {
    requests_per_minute: 100,
    burst: 20
})

# Enable caching
cache(expensive_query, {
    ttl: 300,
    strategy: "lru"
})

Example 7: Concurrency with Channels

# Create typed channel
channel<integer> numbers

# Producer
action producer() {
    for each i in range(0, 10) {
        send(numbers, i)
        sleep(0.1)
    }
    close_channel(numbers)
}

# Consumer
action consumer() {
    while true {
        let value = receive(numbers)
        if value == null {
            break
        }
        print("Received: " + string(value))
    }
}

# Run concurrently
async producer()
async consumer()

Example 8: Output Redirection & Code Generation with LOG

# Redirect output to file for logging
action processData(items) {
    log > "processing.log"
    print("Processing started at: " + timestamp())
    
    for each item in items {
        print("Processing item: " + item)
    }
    
    print("Processing complete")
    # Output automatically restored when action exits
}

# Generate Python code dynamically
action generatePythonModule() {
    log >> "calculator.py"
    print("def add(a, b):")
    print("    return a + b")
    print("")
    print("def multiply(a, b):")
    print("    return a * b")
    print("")
    print("# Generated by Zexus")
}

# Generate and execute code
generatePythonModule()
eval_file("calculator.py", "python")

# Multiple outputs to different files
action generateReports() {
    log >> "summary.txt"
    print("Summary Report")
    print("==============")
    
    log >> "details.txt"
    print("Detailed Report")
    print("===============")
}

Example 9: Advanced Error Handling with Tolerance Blocks

# REQUIRE with tolerance blocks - VIP bypass
action processPremiumAccess(user, balance, isVIP) {
    # Standard users need 1.0 ETH, VIP bypass
    require balance >= 1.0 {
        if (isVIP) return true;
    }
    
    print("Premium access granted to: " + user)
    return true
}

# Advanced error patterns - Circuit breaker
let failureCount = 0
let circuitOpen = false

action protectedOperation(data) {
    try {
        if (circuitOpen) {
            revert("Circuit breaker activated - too many failures")
        }
        
        # Process operation
        let result = processData(data)
        failureCount = 0  # Reset on success
        return result
    } catch (error) {
        failureCount = failureCount + 1
        if (failureCount >= 3) {
            circuitOpen = true
        }
        return null
    }
}

# Retry pattern with error aggregation
action retryableOperation(maxAttempts) {
    let attempts = 0
    let errors = []
    
    while (attempts < maxAttempts) {
        try {
            return performOperation()
        } catch (e) {
            attempts = attempts + 1
            errors = errors + [e]
            if (attempts < maxAttempts) {
                sleep(1)  # Wait before retry
            }
        }
    }
    
    print("Failed after " + attempts + " attempts")
    return null
}

Example 10: Error Recovery with CONTINUE Keyword

# Enable error recovery mode - continue execution despite errors
print "=== Batch Processing with Error Recovery ==="
continue;

# Process multiple records, logging errors but not stopping
action processRecord(id, data) {
    if (data < 0) {
        revert("Invalid data for record " + id);
        return null;  # This executes with CONTINUE
    }
    return "Processed: " + data;
}

let records = [
    {id: 1, data: 100},
    {id: 2, data: -50},   # Error - but continues
    {id: 3, data: 200},
    {id: 4, data: -30},   # Error - but continues
    {id: 5, data: 300}
];

let successCount = 0;
for each record in records {
    let result = processRecord(record.id, record.data);
    if (result != null) {
        successCount = successCount + 1;
    }
}

print "Processed " + successCount + " out of " + length(records) + " records";
print "Program completed despite errors!";

# Use case: Testing framework
action runTests() {
    continue;  # Run all tests even if some fail
    
    test_addition();      # Pass
    test_subtraction();   # Fail - but continue
    test_multiplication(); # Pass
    test_division();      # Fail - but continue
    
    print "All tests executed!";
}

📚 Complete Feature Reference

Core Language Features

Variables & Constants

# Multiple syntax options supported
let mutable_var = 42            # Standard assignment
let mutable_var : 42            # Colon syntax (tolerant style)
let typed_var : int = 42        # With type annotation
const IMMUTABLE = 3.14159       # Immutable constant

Variable Scoping: Zexus uses function-level scoping (not block-level). Variables can only be shadowed within function boundaries.

Data Types

Primitives: Integer, Float, String, Boolean, Null
Collections: List, Map, Set
Advanced: Entity, Contract, Action, Lambda
Special: DateTime, File, Math

Functions

action greet(name: string) -> string {
    return "Hello, " + name
}

# Lambda functions
let double = lambda(x) { x * 2 }

# Deferred cleanup (executes on scope exit)
defer {
    cleanup_resources()
}

Debugging

# DUAL-MODE DEBUG:
# Function mode - returns value, usable in expressions
let x = debug(42)           # Outputs: [DEBUG] 42, x = 42

# Statement mode - logs with metadata
debug myVariable;           # Outputs: 🔍 DEBUG: <value> with context

# CONDITIONAL PRINT (NEW!):
# Only prints if condition is true
let debugMode = true
print(debugMode, "Debug mode active")  # Prints: "Debug mode active"

let verbose = false
print(verbose, "Verbose output")       # Does NOT print

# Multi-argument print
print("Value:", x, "Result:", y)       # Outputs all separated by spaces

# Other debug tools
debug_log("message", context)
debug_trace()               # Stack trace

Control Flow

# Conditionals
if condition {
    # code
} elif other_condition {
    # code
} else {
    # code
}

# Loops
while condition {
    # code
}

for each item in collection {
    # code
}

# Loop Control - BREAK
while true {
    if shouldExit {
        break  # Exit loop immediately
    }
    # process data
}

# Pattern Matching
match value {
    case 1: print("One")
    case 2: print("Two")
    default: print("Other")
}

Error Handling - THROW

# Throw errors explicitly
action validateAge(age) {
    if age < 0 {
        throw "Age cannot be negative"
    }
    if age > 150 {
        throw "Age is unrealistic"
    }
    return age
}

# Combine with try-catch
try {
    let userAge = validateAge(-5)
    print("Valid age: " + string(userAge))
} catch (error) {
    print("Error: " + error)
}

Contract Self-Reference - THIS

# Access current instance in contracts
contract Token {
    state balances: Map<Address, integer>
    
    action transfer(to, amount) {
        # Use 'this' to access instance state
        let senderBalance = this.balances[TX.caller]
        require senderBalance >= amount, "Insufficient balance"
        
        this.balances[TX.caller] = senderBalance - amount
        this.balances[to] = this.balances.get(to, 0) + amount
    }
}

# Use in data classes
data Rectangle {
    width: number
    height: number
    
    area() {
        return this.width * this.height
    }
}

Entities & Contracts

entity User {
    name: string,
    age: integer,
    email: string
}

contract MyContract {
    persistent storage state: integer
    
    action update(new_value: integer) {
        state = new_value
    }
}

Advanced Features

🔐 Security Features

PROTECT - Policy-as-code security:

protect(function_name, {
    rate_limit: 100,              # Max calls per minute
    auth_required: true,          # Require authentication
    require_https: true,          # HTTPS only
    allowed_ips: ["10.0.0.0/8"], # IP allowlist
    blocked_ips: ["192.168.1.100"], # IP blocklist
    log_access: true              # Audit logging
}, "strict")  # Enforcement mode: strict, warn, log

VERIFY - Runtime assertions:

verify(user.is_admin)
verify(amount > 0 and amount < 1000)

RESTRICT - Input validation:

restrict(input_value, {
    type: "string",
    min_length: 5,
    max_length: 100,
    pattern: "^[a-zA-Z0-9]+$",
    range: [0, 100],              # For numbers
    allowed: ["GET", "POST"]      # Enum values
})

SEAL - Immutable objects:

seal(config)  # Make config immutable

SANDBOX - Isolated execution:

sandbox {
    # Code runs in restricted environment
    # Limited file system, network access
}

TRAIL - Audit logging:

trail(operation, "user_action", {
    user_id: user.id,
    action: "transfer",
    amount: 1000
})

💾 Persistence & Memory

Persistent Storage:

persist_set("key", value)
let value = persist_get("key")
persist_clear("key")
let all_keys = persist_list()

Memory Tracking:

track_memory()              # Enable tracking
let stats = memory_stats()  # Get statistics

🔌 Dependency Injection

Register Dependencies:

register_dependency("logger", FileLogger("/var/log/app.log"))
register_dependency("database", PostgresDB("localhost:5432"))

Inject Dependencies:

inject logger
inject database

action save_user(user: Entity) {
    logger.info("Saving user: " + user.name)
    database.insert("users", user)
}

Mocking for Tests:

test_mode(true)
mock_dependency("logger", MockLogger())
mock_dependency("database", MockDB())

# Now all injected dependencies use mocks

👀 Reactive State (WATCH)

let counter = 0

watch counter {
    print("Counter changed to: " + string(counter))
    # Can trigger other logic
    if counter > 10 {
        send_alert()
    }
}

counter = counter + 1  # Triggers watch

⛓️ Blockchain Features

Transactions:

let tx = transaction({
    from: sender_address,
    to: recipient_address,
    value: 100,
    data: "0x1234"
})

Events:

emit Transfer(from, to, amount)

Smart Contract Primitives:

require(condition, "Error message")  # Revert if false
assert(condition)                     # Always check
revert("Reason")                      # Explicit revert
let balance = balance_of(address)

Cryptographic Functions:

let hash = keccak256(data)
let sig = signature(data, private_key)
let valid = verify_sig(data, sig, public_key)

🔄 Concurrency

Async/Await:

async action fetch_data(url: string) -> string {
    let response = await http_get(url)
    return response.body
}

let data = await fetch_data("https://api.example.com/data")

Channels:

channel messages

# Send
messages.send("Hello")

# Receive
let msg = messages.receive()

Atomic Operations:

atomic {
    # Thread-safe operations
    counter = counter + 1
}

📦 Module System

# Export from module
export action public_function() {
    return "accessible"
}

private action internal_function() {
    return "not exported"
}

# Import in another file
use {public_function} from "mymodule"

# Import with alias
use {public_function as pf} from "mymodule"

# Import entire module
use * from "utilities"

🎨 Pattern Matching

match response_code {
    case 200: print("Success")
    case 404: print("Not Found")
    case 500: print("Server Error")
    case x where x >= 400 and x < 500: print("Client Error")
    default: print("Unknown status")
}

# Pattern matching with destructuring
match request {
    case {method: "GET", path: p}: handle_get(p)
    case {method: "POST", body: b}: handle_post(b)
    default: handle_other()
}

🔧 Advanced Types

Enums:

enum Status {
    PENDING,
    ACTIVE,
    COMPLETED,
    CANCELLED
}

let status = Status.ACTIVE

Protocols (Interfaces):

protocol Serializable {
    action serialize() -> string
    action deserialize(data: string) -> Entity
}

Type Aliases:

type_alias UserId = integer
type_alias UserMap = Map<UserId, User>

Built-in Functions (100+)

I/O Functions

print(value)                    # Print without newline
println(value)                  # Print with newline
input(prompt)                   # Get user input
read_text(path)                 # Read text file
write_text(path, content)       # Write text file

Type Conversion

string(value)                   # Convert to string
int(value)                      # Convert to integer
float(value)                    # Convert to float
bool(value)                     # Convert to boolean

Collection Operations

len(collection)                 # Length/size
list(items...)                  # Create list
map(pairs...)                   # Create map
set(items...)                   # Create set
range(start, end, step)         # Generate range

Functional Programming

filter(collection, predicate)   # Filter elements
map(collection, transform)      # Transform elements
reduce(collection, fn, initial) # Reduce to single value
sort(collection, comparator)    # Sort elements
reverse(collection)             # Reverse order

String Operations

join(array, separator)          # Join strings
split(string, delimiter)        # Split string
replace(string, old, new)       # Replace substring
uppercase(string)               # Convert to uppercase
lowercase(string)               # Convert to lowercase
trim(string)                    # Remove whitespace
substring(string, start, end)   # Extract substring

Math Operations

abs(number)                     # Absolute value
ceil(number)                    # Ceiling
floor(number)                   # Floor
round(number, decimals)         # Round
min(numbers...)                 # Minimum
max(numbers...)                 # Maximum
sum(numbers)                    # Sum
sqrt(number)                    # Square root
pow(base, exponent)             # Power
random()                        # Random number
random(max)                     # Random 0 to max
random(min, max)                # Random in range

Date & Time

now()                           # Current datetime
timestamp()                     # Unix timestamp

File I/O

file_read_text(path)            # Read text file
file_write_text(path, content)  # Write text file
file_exists(path)               # Check if file exists
file_read_json(path)            # Read JSON file
file_write_json(path, data)     # Write JSON file
file_append(path, content)      # Append to file
file_list_dir(path)             # List directory
read_file(path)                 # Read file contents (alias for file_read_text)
eval_file(path, [language])     # Execute code from file (Zexus, Python, JS)

New in v0.1.3: read_file() and eval_file() enable dynamic code generation and multi-language execution:

# Generate and execute Zexus code
log >> "helper.zx"
print("action add(a, b) { return a + b; }")
eval_file("helper.zx")
let result = add(5, 10)  # Uses generated function

# Execute Python code
log >> "script.py"
print("print('Hello from Python!')")
eval_file("script.py", "python")

Persistence

persist_set(key, value)         # Store persistent data
persist_get(key)                # Retrieve persistent data
persist_clear(key)              # Delete persistent data
persist_list()                  # List all keys

Memory Management

track_memory()                  # Enable memory tracking
memory_stats()                  # Get memory statistics

Security & Policy

protect(function, policy, mode) # Apply security policy
verify(condition)               # Runtime verification
restrict(value, constraints)    # Validate input
create_policy(rules)            # Create custom policy
enforce_policy(policy, value)   # Apply policy

Dependency Injection

register_dependency(name, impl) # Register dependency
inject_dependency(name)         # Inject dependency
mock_dependency(name, mock)     # Mock for testing
test_mode(enabled)              # Enable/disable test mode

Concurrency & Channels

channel<type> name              # Create typed channel
send(channel, value)            # Send to channel
receive(channel)                # Receive from channel
close_channel(channel)          # Close channel
atomic { }                      # Atomic operation block

emit(event, ...args) # Emit event require(condition, message) # Assert with revert assert(condition) # Assert balance_of(address) # Get balance transfer(to, amount) # Transfer value hash(data) # Hash data keccak256(data) # Keccak-256 hash signature(data, key) # Sign data verify_sig(data, sig, key) # Verify signature


#### Renderer (UI)
```zexus
define_screen(name, props)      # Define UI screen
define_component(name, props)   # Define component
render_screen(name)             # Render screen
set_theme(theme)                # Set UI theme
create_canvas(width, height)    # Create drawing canvas
draw_line(canvas, x1, y1, x2, y2) # Draw line
draw_text(canvas, text, x, y)   # Draw text

Debug & Development

debug(value)                    # Debug function (returns value)
debug value;                    # Debug statement (logs with metadata)
debug_log(message, context)     # Debug logging
debug_trace()                   # Stack trace
is_main()                       # Check if module is main entry point
exit_program(code)              # Exit with status code
module_info()                   # Get module metadata

Main Entry Point Features

run(task_fn)                    # Execute task function
execute(fn)                     # Execute function immediately
is_main()                       # True if current module is main
exit_program(code)              # Exit with status code
on_start(fn)                    # Register startup handler
on_exit(fn)                     # Register cleanup handler
signal_handler(signal, fn)      # Handle OS signals
schedule(fn, delay)             # Schedule delayed execution
sleep(seconds)                  # Sleep for duration
daemonize(fn)                   # Run as background daemon
watch_and_reload(path)          # Auto-reload on file changes
get_module_name()               # Get current module name
get_module_path()               # Get current module path
list_imports()                  # List imported modules
get_exported_names()            # List exported names

Validation & Verification

is_email(string)                # Validate email format
is_url(string)                  # Validate URL format
is_phone(string)                # Validate phone format
is_numeric(string)              # Check if numeric
is_alpha(string)                # Check if alphabetic
is_alphanumeric(string)         # Check if alphanumeric
matches_pattern(str, pattern)   # Regex pattern matching
password_strength(password)     # Check password strength
sanitize_input(text, type)      # Sanitize user input
validate_length(str, min, max)  # Validate string length
env_get(name)                   # Get environment variable
env_set(name, value)            # Set environment variable
env_exists(name)                # Check if env var exists

Standard Library Modules

Zexus provides 130+ functions across 10 standard library modules:

File System (fs)

use {read_file, write_file, exists, mkdir} from "fs"

write_file("data.txt", "Hello!")
let content = read_file("data.txt")
if exists("data.txt") {
    print("File exists!")
}

30+ functions: read_file, write_file, append_file, exists, mkdir, rmdir, list_dir, walk, glob, copy_file, rename, remove, and more.

HTTP Client (http)

use {get, post} from "http"

let response = get("https://api.example.com/data")
print(response.status)
print(response.body)

HTTP Server (NEW! v1.0)

# Create HTTP server with routing
let server = http_server(3000)

server["get"]("/", action(req, res) {
    res["send"]("Hello World!")
})

server["post"]("/api/users", action(req, res) {
    res["json"]({"message": "User created"})
})

server["listen"]()

Functions: http_server, routing methods (get, post, put, delete), response methods (send, json, status)

Socket/TCP (NEW! v1.0)

# TCP server
let server = socket_listen(8080)
let client = server["accept"]()
let data = client["recv"](1024)
client["send"]("Echo: " + data)

# TCP client
let conn = socket_connect("localhost", 8080)
conn["send"]("Hello!")
let response = conn["recv"](1024)

Functions: socket_listen, socket_connect, send/receive operations

Databases (NEW! v1.0)

# SQLite (built-in, no deps)
let db = sqlite_connect("app.db")
db["execute"]("CREATE TABLE users (...)")
let users = db["query"]("SELECT * FROM users")

# PostgreSQL (requires psycopg2-binary)
let db = postgres_connect("mydb", "user", "pass")

# MySQL (requires mysql-connector-python)
let db = mysql_connect("mydb", "root", "pass")

# MongoDB (requires pymongo)
let db = mongo_connect("myapp")
db["insert_one"]("users", {"name": "Alice"})
let docs = db["find"]("users", {"age": 30})

Functions: Database connection functions, execute/query/update/delete operations for SQL databases, MongoDB NoSQL operations

Testing Framework (NEW! v1.0)

# Load test framework
eval_file("src/zexus/stdlib/test.zx")

# Write assertions
assert_eq(1 + 1, 2, "Addition works")
assert_true(x > 0, "Positive number")
assert_type(value, "Integer", "Type check")

# Get results
print_test_results()

Functions: assert_eq, assert_true, assert_false, assert_null, assert_type, print_test_results

5 functions: get, post, put, delete, request

JSON (json)

use {parse, stringify} from "json"

let data = {name: "Alice", age: 30}
let json_str = stringify(data)
let parsed = parse(json_str)

7 functions: parse, stringify, load, save, validate, merge, pretty_print

Date & Time (datetime)

use {now, timestamp, add_days} from "datetime"

let current = now()
let ts = timestamp()
let tomorrow = add_days(current, 1)

25+ functions: now, utc_now, timestamp, format, parse, add_days, add_hours, diff_seconds, is_before, is_after, and more.

Cryptography (crypto)

use {hash_sha256, keccak256, random_bytes} from "crypto"

let hash = hash_sha256("Hello World")
let keccak = keccak256("Hello World")
let random = random_bytes(32)

15+ functions: hash_sha256, hash_sha512, keccak256, sha3_256, hmac_sha256, random_bytes, random_int, pbkdf2, generate_salt, compare_digest, and more.

Blockchain (blockchain)

use {create_address, validate_address, calculate_merkle_root} from "blockchain"

let address = create_address("public_key")
let is_valid = validate_address(address)
let merkle = calculate_merkle_root(["hash1", "hash2"])

12+ functions: create_address, validate_address, calculate_merkle_root, create_block, hash_block, validate_block, create_genesis_block, proof_of_work, validate_proof_of_work, create_transaction, hash_transaction, validate_chain

View complete stdlib documentation →

📖 Complete Keyword Reference

Zexus supports 130+ keywords organized into functional categories:

Core Language Keywords

Variable Declaration & Constants

let - Mutable variable declaration (supports = and : syntax)
const - Immutable constant declaration
immutable - Mark variable as permanently immutable

Control Flow

if / elif / else - Conditional execution
while - While loop
for / each / in - For-each iteration
match / case / default - Pattern matching
break - Exit current loop immediately
continue - Enable error recovery mode (different from loop continue)
return - Return from function

Functions & Actions

action - Define action (Zexus function)
function - Define function
lambda - Anonymous function
defer - Deferred cleanup execution

I/O & Output

print - Output to console (supports multi-argument and conditional printing)
debug - Debug output (dual-mode: function returns value, statement logs with metadata)
log - Redirect output to file (scope-aware, supports any extension)

Types & Structures

entity - Define data structure
data - Define dataclass with generics and pattern matching (v1.5.0)
enum - Define enumeration
protocol / interface - Define interface
type_alias - Create type alias
implements - Implement protocol

Module System Keywords

use - Import modules/symbols
import - Alternative import syntax
export - Export symbols
module - Define module
package - Define package/namespace
from - Import from specific module
external - Declare external function

Note: All keywords link to detailed documentation with syntax examples and use cases. See the Documentation section below for comprehensive guides.

Security & Policy Keywords

Policy Enforcement

protect - Apply security policy to function
verify - Runtime verification with custom logic
restrict - Input validation and constraints
require - Assert condition (with tolerance blocks)
assert - Always-check assertion

Access Control & Isolation

seal - Make object immutable
sandbox - Isolated execution environment
audit - Compliance logging
trail - Event tracking and audit trails
capability - Define capability
grant / revoke - Capability management

Data Validation

validate - Schema validation
sanitize - Input sanitization

Blockchain Keywords

Smart Contracts

contract - Define smart contract
state - Mutable contract state
ledger - Immutable ledger
persistent / storage - Persistent storage
tx - Transaction context
gas - Gas tracking
limit - Gas/resource limits

Cryptography

hash - Cryptographic hashing
signature - Digital signatures
verify_sig - Signature verification

Contract Features

emit - Emit event
event - Event type
revert - Revert transaction
this - Current contract/data instance reference (Full Docs →)

Modifiers

Visibility

public - Public visibility (auto-export)
private - Private/module-only visibility

Contract Modifiers

pure / view - Read-only functions
payable - Can receive value
modifier - Define function modifier
sealed - Prevent override
secure - Security flag

Concurrency & Async Keywords

async - Async function
await - Await promise/coroutine
channel - Create channel
send / receive - Channel operations
atomic - Atomic operation block
stream - Event streaming
watch - Reactive state monitoring

Error Handling Keywords

try / catch - Exception handling
throw - Throw exception with custom message
finally - Cleanup block
require - Assert condition (with tolerance blocks for conditional bypasses)
revert - Revert transaction
continue - Enable error recovery mode (execution continues despite errors)

BREAK Keyword (Full Documentation →):

# Exit loops early
while true {
    let data = fetchData()
    if data == null {
        break  # Exits the loop
    }
    process(data)
}

# Search with early termination
for each item in items {
    if item == target {
        print("Found: " + string(target))
        break  # Stop searching
    }
}

THROW Keyword (Full Documentation →):

# Throw explicit errors
action validateInput(value) {
    if value < 0 {
        throw "Value cannot be negative"
    }
    if value > 100 {
        throw "Value exceeds maximum: 100"
    }
    return value
}

# Use with try-catch
try {
    let result = validateInput(-5)
} catch (error) {
    print("Validation error: " + error)
}

THIS Keyword (Full Documentation →):

# Reference current contract/data instance
contract Wallet {
    state balance: integer
    
    action deposit(amount) {
        this.balance = this.balance + amount
        emit Deposit(TX.caller, amount)
    }
    
    action withdraw(amount) {
        require this.balance >= amount, "Insufficient funds"
        this.balance = this.balance - amount
    }
}

# Use in data classes for method chaining
data Builder {
    value: number
    
    add(n) {
        this.value = this.value + n
        return this  # Enable chaining
    }
}

New in v1.5.0: CONTINUE enables error recovery mode - program continues running even when errors occur:

# Enable error recovery mode
continue;

# Errors are logged but don't halt execution
revert("Error 1");  # Logged, execution continues
print "Still running!";

revert("Error 2");  # Logged, execution continues
print "Program completed despite errors!";

New in v0.1.3: REQUIRE supports tolerance blocks for conditional requirement bypasses:

# VIP users bypass balance requirement
require balance >= 0.1 {
    if (isVIP) return true;
}

# Emergency admin access overrides maintenance mode
require !maintenanceMode {
    if (isAdmin && emergency) return true;
}

Performance Optimization Keywords

native - Native C/C++ FFI
inline - Function inlining hint
gc - Garbage collection control
buffer - Memory buffer operations
simd - SIMD vector operations

Advanced Language Features

pattern - Pattern matching blocks
exactly - Exact matching block
embedded - Embed foreign language code
using - Resource management

Renderer/UI Keywords

screen - Define UI screen
component - Define UI component
theme - Theme declaration
canvas - Canvas for drawing
graphics - Graphics context
animation - Animation definition
clock - Timing/clock
color - Color definition

Enterprise Features

middleware - Request/response middleware
auth - Authentication configuration
throttle - Rate limiting
cache - Caching directive
inject - Dependency injection

Special Keywords

true / false - Boolean literals
null - Null value
map - Map/object literal

Reserved Transaction Context

TX - Global transaction context object with properties:
- TX.caller - Transaction sender
- TX.value - Sent value
- TX.timestamp - Block timestamp
- TX.block_hash - Current block hash
- TX.gas_used - Gas consumed
- TX.gas_remaining - Gas remaining
- TX.gas_limit - Gas limit

Complete keyword testing documentation →

🎮 CLI Commands

Zexus CLI (`zx`)

# Execution
zx run program.zx              # Run a program
zx run --debug program.zx      # Run with debugging
zx repl                        # Start interactive REPL

# Analysis
zx check program.zx            # Check syntax
zx validate program.zx         # Validate and auto-fix
zx ast program.zx              # Show AST
zx tokens program.zx           # Show tokens

# Project Management
zx init my-project             # Create new project
zx test                        # Run tests

# Configuration
zx debug on                    # Enable debugging
zx debug off                   # Disable debugging

Advanced Options:

# Syntax style
zx --syntax-style=universal run program.zx
zx --syntax-style=tolerable run program.zx
zx --syntax-style=auto run program.zx    # Auto-detect (default)

# Execution mode
zx --execution-mode=interpreter run program.zx
zx --execution-mode=compiler run program.zx
zx --execution-mode=auto run program.zx  # Auto-select (default)

# VM control
zx --use-vm run program.zx               # Use VM when beneficial (default)
zx --no-vm run program.zx                # Disable VM

Package Manager (`zpm`)

# Initialize
zpm init                       # Create new project

# Install packages
zpm install                    # Install all from zexus.json
zpm install std                # Install specific package
zpm install [email protected]          # Install specific version
zpm install testing -D         # Install as dev dependency

# Manage packages
zpm list                       # List installed packages
zpm search <query>             # Search for packages
zpm uninstall <package>        # Remove a package
zpm clean                      # Remove zpm_modules/

# Publishing
zpm info                       # Show project info
zpm publish                    # Publish to registry

🏗️ Architecture

zexus-interpreter/
├── src/zexus/                  # Core interpreter
│   ├── lexer.py               # Tokenization
│   ├── parser/                # Parsing (multi-strategy)
│   │   ├── parser.py          # Main parser
│   │   └── ...                # Parser utilities
│   ├── evaluator/             # Evaluation engine
│   │   ├── core.py            # Main evaluator
│   │   ├── bytecode_compiler.py  # VM bytecode compiler
│   │   ├── expressions.py     # Expression evaluation
│   │   ├── statements.py      # Statement evaluation
│   │   └── functions.py       # Function handling & builtins
│   ├── vm/                    # Virtual Machine
│   │   ├── vm.py              # VM execution engine
│   │   ├── bytecode.py        # Bytecode definitions
│   │   └── jit.py             # JIT compilation
│   ├── compiler/              # Compiler frontend
│   │   ├── __init__.py        # Compiler main
│   │   ├── parser.py          # Production parser
│   │   ├── semantic.py        # Semantic analysis
│   │   └── bytecode.py        # Bytecode generation
│   ├── object.py              # Object system
│   ├── zexus_ast.py           # AST definitions
│   ├── persistence.py         # Persistent storage
│   ├── policy_engine.py       # Security policies
│   ├── dependency_injection.py # DI system
│   ├── blockchain/            # Blockchain features
│   │   ├── transaction.py     # Transaction handling
│   │   ├── crypto.py          # Cryptography
│   │   └── ...                # Other blockchain features
│   ├── security.py            # Security features
│   ├── module_manager.py      # Module system
│   └── ...                    # Other components
├── tests/                      # Test suite
│   ├── unit/                  # Unit tests
│   ├── integration/           # Integration tests
│   └── examples/              # Example programs
├── docs/                       # Documentation
│   ├── features/              # Feature docs
│   ├── guides/                # User guides
│   └── api/                   # API reference
├── syntaxes/                  # Syntax highlighting
├── zpm_modules/               # Installed packages
└── examples/                  # Example programs

Execution Flow

Source Code (.zx)
       ↓
   [Lexer]  → Tokens
       ↓
   [Parser] → AST
       ↓
  [Evaluator] ←→ [Bytecode Compiler]
       ↓              ↓
 Direct Eval    [VM Execution]
       ↓              ↓
    Result  ←─────────┘

📖 Documentation

Complete Documentation

Ecosystem Strategy - 🌐 Three-phase roadmap for building "anything"
Feature Guide - Complete feature reference
Developer Guide - Internal architecture and API
Documentation Index - All documentation organized
Quick Start - Getting started tutorial
Architecture - System design
Philosophy - Design principles

Keyword & Syntax Documentation

Keyword Testing Master List - Complete keyword reference with 130+ keywords
Blockchain Keywords - Smart contract keywords (implements, pure, view, payable, modifier, this, emit)
Advanced Keywords - Advanced language features
Modifiers - Function and access modifiers

Language Features by Category

Core Language

LET - Variable declaration (multiple syntax styles)
CONST - Constant declaration
ACTION/FUNCTION/LAMBDA/RETURN - Function definitions
IF/ELIF/ELSE - Conditional execution
WHILE/FOR/EACH/IN - Loops and iteration
BREAK - Loop control - exit loops early
PRINT/DEBUG - Output and debugging (includes conditional print)
LOG - Output redirection and code generation

Error Handling

Error Handling - TRY/CATCH/REQUIRE/REVERT
THROW - Explicit error throwing with custom messages

Object-Oriented & Contracts

THIS - Current instance reference for contracts and data classes

Module System

MODULE_SYSTEM - USE, IMPORT, EXPORT, MODULE, PACKAGE
Main Entry Point - run, execute, is_main patterns

Async & Concurrency

ASYNC/AWAIT - Asynchronous programming
ASYNC_CONCURRENCY - Channels, send, receive, atomic

Events & Reactive

EVENTS_REACTIVE - Event system
WATCH - Reactive state management

Security Features

SECURITY - Security features overview
RESTRICT - Input validation
SANDBOX - Isolated execution
AUDIT - Compliance logging
TRAIL - Event tracking

Performance

PERFORMANCE - Performance features
NATIVE - C/C++ FFI
INLINE - Function inlining
GC - Garbage collection control
BUFFER - Memory buffers
SIMD - SIMD operations

Advanced Features

DEFER - Deferred cleanup
PATTERN - Pattern matching
ENUM - Enumerations
STREAM - Event streaming

Blockchain & State

BLOCKCHAIN_STATE - State management

Renderer/UI

RENDERER_UI - UI and rendering system

Specific Features

VM Integration - Virtual Machine details
VM Quick Reference - VM API and usage
Blockchain - Smart contracts and DApps
Security - Security features guide
Concurrency - Async/await and channels
Module System - Import/export system
Plugin System - Extending Zexus
ZPM Guide - Package manager
Performance - Optimization features

Command Documentation

Each advanced feature has detailed documentation:

PROTECT - Security policies
WATCH - Reactive state
RESTRICT - Input validation
SANDBOX - Isolated execution
TRAIL - Audit logging
DEFER - Deferred execution
PATTERN - Pattern matching
And many more in docs/keywords/

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Here's how:

Fork the repository
Create a feature branch: git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature
Commit your ch

Published

Vulnerabilities

Links

Maintainers

Keywords

Readme

Zexus Programming Language

📋 Table of Contents

🎯 What is Zexus?

🎉 What's New in v1.7.1

Latest Features (v1.7.1)

Previous Features (v1.6.3)

Previous Features (v1.5.0)

Recent Enhancements (v0.1.3)

Bug Fixes & Improvements

🔒 Latest Security Patches & Features (v1.6.3)

🛡️ Security Features Added

✅ Automatic Input Sanitization

✅ Contract Access Control (RBAC)

✅ Cryptographic Functions

✅ Type Safety Enhancements

✅ Debug Info Sanitization

✅ Resource Limits & Protection

✅ Path Traversal Prevention

✅ Contract Safety

📊 Security Summary

📚 Security Documentation

✨ Key Features

🎨 NEW! World-Class Error Reporting (v1.5.0)

📦 NEW! Advanced DATA Features (v1.5.0)

Generic Types

Pattern Matching

🔐 Security & Policy-as-Code (✨ VERIFY Enhanced!)

⛓️ Native Blockchain Support

💾 Persistent Memory Management

🔌 Dependency Injection & Testing

👀 Reactive State Management

🚀 Advanced Features

🔍 Why Choose Zexus?

Language Comparison

Use Zexus When You Need

Zexus = Python's Ease + Solidity's Blockchain + Rust's Safety

📦 Installation

Quick Install (Recommended)

From Source

Verify Installation

🚀 Quick Start

1. Hello World

2. Interactive REPL

3. Create a Project

💡 Examples

Example 1: Secure API with Policy-as-Code

Example 2: Blockchain Token

Example 3: Reactive State Management

Example 4: VM-Optimized Computation

Example 5: Main Entry Point Pattern

Example 6: Middleware & Enterprise Features

Example 7: Concurrency with Channels

Example 8: Output Redirection & Code Generation with LOG

Example 9: Advanced Error Handling with Tolerance Blocks

Example 10: Error Recovery with CONTINUE Keyword

📚 Complete Feature Reference

Core Language Features

Variables & Constants

Data Types

Functions

Debugging

Control Flow

Error Handling - THROW

Contract Self-Reference - THIS

Entities & Contracts

Advanced Features

🔐 Security Features

💾 Persistence & Memory

🔌 Dependency Injection

👀 Reactive State (WATCH)

⛓️ Blockchain Features

🔄 Concurrency

📦 Module System

🎨 Pattern Matching