Nim (programming language)

Nim (programming language)

Nim is an efficient, general-purpose programming language that combines successful concepts from mature languages like Python, Ada and Modula. Its key features include compile-time execution, macros, efficient C code generation, garbage collection, and Unicode support.
Nim (programming language) image
systems-programming compiled statically-typed procedural imperative objectoriented functional metaprogramming

Nim: Efficient General-Purpose Programming Language

Nim combines successful concepts from mature languages like Python, Ada, and Modula, offering features such as compile-time execution, macros, C code generation, garbage collection, and Unicode support.

What is Nim (programming language)?

Nim is an open-source, general-purpose, statically typed, compiled programming language developed by Andreas Rumpf. It combines successful concepts from mature languages like Python, Ada and Modula, offering flexibility and efficiency.

Here are some of its key features:

  • Statically typed – Types are checked during compilation which helps catch errors early.
  • Compiles to C – It compiles to highly optimized C code rather than bytecode which allows fast execution with small binaries.
  • Metaprogramming Support – Macros allow code generation or modification at compile time. This enables things like writing domain specific languages.
  • Garbage Collected – Has an efficient incremental garbage collector which frees the programmer from manual memory management.
  • Strong and Static Typing – The type system catches many bugs at compile time resulting in more robust code.
  • Unicode Support – Full native Unicode support allows working seamlessly with text in any language.
  • Portability – The same source code can be compiled for all major operating systems.

Nim has an elegant Python-like syntax making it highly readable. It's used for anything from web development and game development to robotics. User communities report productivity close to Python but performance near C/C++. This combination of flexibility and efficiency makes it well suited for many real-world applications.

Nim (programming language) Features

Features

  1. Statically typed
  2. Compiles to C code
  3. Garbage collected
  4. First-class functions
  5. Iterators and closures
  6. Exception handling
  7. Generic programming

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Fast compilation

Efficient C code generation

Easy interoperability with C and C++

Concise and readable syntax

Cons

Still relatively young language

Limited libraries and ecosystem

Steep learning curve for some


The Best Nim (programming language) Alternatives

Top Development and Programming Languages and other similar apps like Nim (programming language)


Kotlin icon

Kotlin

Kotlin is a statically typed programming language that runs on the Java virtual machine and can also be compiled to JavaScript. It is designed by JetBrains to be a better alternative to Java for modern application development.Some key features and advantages of Kotlin include:Null safety - Variables in Kotlin can't...
Kotlin image
PyPy icon

PyPy

PyPy is an alternative implementation of the Python programming language. Unlike the standard CPython interpreter, PyPy uses just-in-time compilation to improve performance. Some key things about PyPy:Implemented in Python - The PyPy interpreter itself is written in Python along with some other languages like C. This makes it easier to...
PyPy image
FreeBASIC icon

FreeBASIC

FreeBASIC is an open-source, free BASIC compiler that allows developers to create console, graphical GUI, and web applications on Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms. It is binary compatible with legacy BASIC compilers like QBasic and QuickBASIC, making it easy to port old BASIC code to FreeBASIC.Some key features of FreeBASIC...
FreeBASIC image
Groovy icon

Groovy

Groovy is an object-oriented programming language for the Java platform. It builds upon the strengths of Java but has additional power features inspired by languages like Python, Ruby and Smalltalk. Groovy nicely integrates with Java, allowing you to leverage existing Java libraries and frameworks.Some of the key benefits and features...
Groovy image
Erlang icon

Erlang

Erlang is a general-purpose, concurrent, functional programming language and runtime environment. It was originally designed by Ericsson in 1986 for building distributed, fault-tolerant soft real-time systems with requirements for high availability. Erlang has built-in support for concurrency, distribution and fault tolerance.Some key features of Erlang include:Concurrency - Erlang uses the...
Erlang image
REBOL icon

REBOL

REBOL is an open-source programming language first released in 1997 by Carl Sassenrath. It stands for Relative Expression-Based Object Language.Some key features of REBOL include:Simple, terse syntax that is easy to learn and readLanguage flexibility - can be used for many different task typesCross-platform, able to run on many devices...
REBOL image
SMX icon

SMX

SMX is an open-source systems management and monitoring application designed for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It provides a centralized interface for administrators to monitor and manage multiple servers simultaneously.Some of the key features of SMX include:Monitoring system metrics like CPU, memory, disk, and network usageManaging system services and...
Coconut programming language icon

Coconut programming language

Coconut is a Python variant language that adds functional programming concepts and syntax on top of Python. Some key features of Coconut include:Pattern matching - Allows matching on data types and destructuring, like in ML languagesPipelining - Allows chaining operations in a readable wayImmutable data structures - Native support for...
Coconut programming language image
Io (Programming Language) icon

Io (Programming Language)

io is an object-oriented programming language created in 2002 by Steve Dekorte. It focuses on simplicity, small size and adaptability as some of its main design goals.Some key features of io include:Prototype-based object orientation - objects inherit from other objects rather than classesImplicit, dynamic typing - variables are not declared...
Io (Programming Language) image
Pony language icon

Pony language

Pony is an open-source, actor-model, capabilities-secure, high performance programming language. It features several key characteristics:Ultra lightweight concurrency based on the actor model for high performance and scalabilityObject capabilities for security - Pony has no undefined behavior or unsafe operationsAlgebraic data types and pattern matchingGarbage collection out of the boxEasy to...
Pony language image
BeanShell icon

BeanShell

BeanShell is a small, free, embeddable Java source interpreter with object scripting language features, written in Java. It runs in the Java Virtual Machine and dynamically executes Java code fragments and scripts.Some key features of BeanShell include:Supports scripting Java syntax and APIs, in addition to basic scripting commandsLightweight and embeddable,...
BeanShell image
Pyret icon

Pyret

Pyret is a programming language and environment designed primarily for learning programming concepts and building small-scale software projects. It focuses on readability, simplicity, and providing good error messages to help novice programmers.Some key features of Pyret include:Python-inspired syntax designed to be clean, consistent, and easy to read/writeStrong static typing with...
Pyret image
GDscript icon

GDscript

GDscript is a high-level, dynamically typed programming language used to create video games, applications, and tools inside the Godot game engine and development environment. It was specifically designed by the Godot team to be integrated with the engine and enable high flexibility and functionality for 2D and 3D game development.GDscript...
GDscript image
Cobra icon

Cobra

Cobra is an open-source computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software application. It focuses on 3D modeling for product design and development as well as preparation for 3D printing.Some key features and capabilities of Cobra include:User-friendly and intuitive 3D modeling tools for creating simple to complex designsSupport for common...
Stackless Python icon

Stackless Python

Stackless Python is an enhanced version of the Python programming language that provides microthreads and removes the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL). This allows Python programs to achieve massive concurrency and scale better on multicore machines.The key features of Stackless Python include:Microthreads - Stackless uses microthreads instead of system threads. These...
Stackless Python image
Objective-J icon

Objective-J

Objective-J is an extension to the Objective-C programming language that aims to make Objective-C more like JavaScript. It was created by Francisco Tolmasky and adds a layer on top of Objective-C that allows developers to use JavaScript syntax and capabilities within Objective-C code.Some key features of Objective-J include:The ability to...
Objective-J image
Guile icon

Guile

Guile is an open source interpreter and compiler for the Scheme programming language. It was developed by the GNU Project to serve as a user-extensible extension and scripting language for other programs.Some key features and characteristics of Guile include:Implements R5RS and R7RS standards for SchemeCompiles to bytecode to improve performanceCan...
Guile image