Var'aq

Update 2023

This is a resurrected fork of the original GitHub copy. The use case for this was to simplify using va'raq in CGI scripts. Please don't ask.

va'raq can now be run non-interactively with a script the usual way (by passing the file in as $1 or using shebang) instead of having to use shell redirection to pass files in via stdin. The usual header lines printed on interactive use are suppressed if either stdin or a file argument are supplied.

Other new changes include:

• A devcontainer configuration has been added, which allows for dependencies to be described programmatically without need to install them locally on supported IDEs (such as Visual Studio Code and IntelliJ).
• The gitignore file has been regenerated using the Perl sample from https://gitignore.io.
• Shebangs and permissions have been updated on test files.
• Test suite has been fixed (tail -n didn't like + before its count).
• sub1 was actually broken in Klingon, in both the test case and the translator. The function in the Klingon source is named wa'boqHa' but it was given as wa'teq in those files, meaning the sample didn't run.
• One minor equality fix (thanks -W).
• Cleanup of the documentation and conversion to markdown.

Some additional notes on the readme:

• Generate the basic Docker image by running docker build -t bjtucker/varaq . from the repository root.
• Run the test suite with bats test/ from the repository root.

Still to do:

• The vqmake script appears to be empty: track it down.

Original documentation for the fork continues below.

Original fork README

This is a copy of the var'aq language developed by Brian Connors, Chris Pressey, and Mark Shoulson, which I downloaded from a geocities mirror and uploaded to GitHub.

Since then, I've made a few changes focused on testing and integration. So far, they are:

• Automated some tests with BATS.
• Dockerized.
• Automated builds and testing with GitHub Actions.

The project as it was is not according to its specification, but enough of it is implemented that the 99 bottles example runs with a minor spelling correction.

The easiest way to try var'aq is to use its Docker image, which I have uploaded to Docker Hub.

Try var'aq:

docker run -it bjtucker/varaq

If there is any other development or use of the var'aq language, I would love to hear about it. Please open an issue!

I intend to continue adding my own contributions to the project as time permits as a form of fandom and a learning experience. I welcome anyone who wishes to join me.

Ben

Original README

This is var'aq, the first Klingon programming language. This is the Azetbur ('aDSetbur?) release, dated 1/05/2001, named for the Klingon chancellor Azetbur gorqon puqbe' in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

It is to be considered an alpha release; for information on what it's capable of, see the files current.html and gettingstarted.txt.

var'aq was developed on a Linux system using Perl 5. If you are not currently using a Unix-based system, you may want to rename the interpreter files (varaq-engl and varaq-kling) with a .pl extension.

If this is your first exposure to var'aq, please read the FAQ (varaqfaq.html) before you do anything else. You may also wish to subscribe to our eGroups mailing list; the information is in the FAQ.

Thank you, enjoy, and Qapla'!

Brian Connors Chris Pressey Mark Shoulson 1/05/2001