Editing Dylan (programming language) (section)

{{Short description|Multi-paradigm programming language}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox programming language
| name = Dylan
| logo = Dylan logo.png
| paradigm = [[Multi-paradigm programming language|multi-paradigm]]: [[Functional programming|functional]], [[Object-oriented programming|object-oriented]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1992}}
| designer = 
| developer = [[Open Source Community]] [[Apple Computer]], [[Harlequin (software company)|Harlequin]], [[Carnegie Mellon University]]
| latest release version = 2022.1
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2022|11|28}}
| typing = [[Strong and weak typing|Strong]], [[Gradual typing|gradual]]
| scope = 
| programming language = 
| platform = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]]
| operating system = [[Cross-platform software|Cross-platform]]
| license = 
| file ext = dylan, lid
| file format = <!-- or: | file formats = -->
| website = {{URL|https://opendylan.org/}}
| implementations = [https://opendylan.org/ Open Dylan], Gwydion Dylan
| dialects = infix-dylan (AKA Dylan), prefix-dylan (historical only)
| influenced by = [[Common Lisp Object System|CLOS]], [[ALGOL]], [[Scheme (programming language)|Scheme]], [[EuLisp]]
| influenced = [[Lasso (programming language)|Lasso]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]], [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]],
[[Julia (programming language)|Julia]]<ref name="goldilocks">{{cite web |last1=Stokel-Walker |first1=Chris |title=Julia: The Goldilocks language |url=https://increment.com/programming-languages/goldilocks-language-history-of-julia/ |website=Increment |publisher=Stripe |access-date=23 August 2020}}</ref>
}}

'''Dylan''' is a multi-paradigm [[programming language]] that includes support for [[Functional programming|functional]] and [[object-oriented programming]] (OOP), and is [[Dynamic programming language|dynamic]] and [[Reflective programming|reflective]] while providing a [[programming model]] designed to support generating efficient [[machine code]], including fine-grained control over dynamic and static behaviors. It was created in the early 1990s by a group led by [[Apple Computer]].

Dylan derives from [[Scheme (programming language)|Scheme]] and [[Common Lisp]] and adds an integrated object system derived from the [[Common Lisp Object System]] (CLOS). In Dylan, all values (including numbers, characters, functions, and [[Class (computer programming)|classes]]) are [[first-class object]]s. Dylan supports [[multiple inheritance]], [[Polymorphism (computer science)|polymorphism]], [[multiple dispatch]], [[keyword argument]]s, object introspection, [[Pattern matching|pattern]]-based [[Syntactic macro|syntax extension macro]]s, and many other advanced features. Programs can express fine-grained control over dynamism, admitting programs that occupy a continuum between dynamic and static programming and supporting evolutionary development (allowing for rapid prototyping followed by incremental refinement and optimization).

Dylan's main design goal is to be a dynamic language well-suited for developing [[commercial software]]. Dylan attempts to address potential performance issues by introducing "natural" limits to the full flexibility of [[Lisp (programming language)|Lisp]] systems, allowing the [[compiler]] to clearly understand compilable units, such as [[Library (computing)|libraries]].

Dylan derives much of its semantics from Scheme and other Lisps; some Dylan implementations were initially built within extant Lisp systems. However, Dylan has an [[ALGOL]]-like syntax instead of a Lisp-like prefix syntax.