3 The Factor programming language combines [powerful language
4 features](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Features/The%20language)
6 library](http://docs.factorcode.org/content/article-vocab-index.html). The
7 implementation is [fully
8 compiled](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Optimizing%20compiler)
9 for performance, while still supporting [interactive
10 development](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Interactive%20development).
11 Factor applications are portable between all common platforms. Factor can
13 applications](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Deployment) on all
14 platforms. Full source code for the Factor project is available under a BSD
19 * [Learning Factor](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Learning)
20 * [System requirements](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Requirements)
22 ### Building Factor from source
24 If you have a build environment set up, then you can build Factor from git.
25 These scripts will attempt to compile the Factor binary and bootstrap from
26 a boot image stored on factorcode.org.
30 * git clone git://factorcode.org/git/factor.git
33 To build the latest complete Factor system from git:
35 * Windows: build-support\factor.cmd
36 * Unix: ./build-support/factor.sh update
38 Now you should have a complete Factor system ready to run.
40 [More information on building factor](http://concatenative.org/wiki/view/Factor/Building%20Factor)
42 ### To run a Factor binary:
44 You can download a Factor binary from the grid on [http://factorcode.org](http://factorcode.org).
45 The nightly builds are usually a better experience than the point releases.
47 * Windows: Double-click `factor.exe`, or run `.\factor.com` in a command prompt
48 * Mac OS X: Double-click `Factor.app` or run `open Factor.app` in a Terminal
49 * Unix: Run `./factor` in a shell
53 A tutorial is available that can be accessed from the Factor environment:
59 Some other simple things you can try in the listener:
64 { 4 8 15 16 23 42 } [ 2 * ] map .
69 "Happy Birthday " write
70 2 = "dear NAME" "to You" ? print
76 The Factor environment includes extensive reference documentation and a
77 short "cookbook" to help you get started. The best way to read the
78 documentation is in the UI; press F1 in the UI listener to open the help
79 browser tool. You can also [browse the documentation
80 online](http://docs.factorcode.org).
84 Factor supports a number of command line switches:
87 Usage: factor [Factor arguments] [script] [script arguments]
90 -help print this message and exit
91 -i=<image> load Factor image file <image> (default factor.image)
92 -run=<vocab> run the MAIN: entry point of <vocab>
93 -run=listener run terminal listener
94 -run=ui.tools run Factor development UI
95 -e=<code> evaluate <code>
96 -no-user-init suppress loading of .factor-rc
100 from within Factor for more information.
103 You can also write scripts that can be run from the terminal, by putting
104 ``#!/path/to/factor`` at the top of your scripts and making them executable.
106 ## Source Organization
108 The Factor source tree is organized as follows:
110 * `build-support/` - scripts used for compiling Factor (not present in binary packages)
111 * `vm/` - Factor VM source code (not present in binary packages)
112 * `core/` - Factor core library
113 * `basis/` - Factor basis library, compiler, tools
114 * `extra/` - more libraries and applications
115 * `misc/` - editor modes, icons, etc
116 * `unmaintained/` - unmaintained contributions, please help!
120 Factor developers meet in the `#concatenative` channel on
121 [irc.freenode.net](http://freenode.net). Drop by if you want to discuss
122 anything related to Factor or language design in general.
124 * [Factor homepage](http://factorcode.org)
125 * [Concatenative languages wiki](http://concatenative.org)