Emojis are taking over. They’re already edging out text as the alpha dog of SMS messaging, and now members of the 4chan image board are aiming to supplant code with the tiny emoticons as well.
According to FourMan, the mysterious developer behind 4, the programming language aims to be easy to use and made up entirely of emojis in a universally understandable syntax.
The language project’s goals currently include the creation of a compiler and libraries, a mobile IDE app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone, a virtual keyboard app, and a custom emoji font tailored for 4 programming. FourMan is also seeking contributions for a desktop IDE, key-mapping software, and a custom physical mechanical keyboard complete with emoji keys. Hardware or software, it’ll be all emojis all the time.
An excerpt of 4’s “code” depicting a bubble sort.
The language’s current repository includes a token list, sample code, a C++ lexer and an emoji reader, along with a parser, language syntax and a working formal specification.
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