Dflat Language

A new language D♭ that is the same as C# but easier to write and faster to execute

Language specification

Status

Design is in progress. Decisions below reflect the latest choices; earlier alternatives are omitted.

Abstract

Name

Dflat

Source extension

.df

Position

between C# 12 and Rust. Short, clean, modern C-style syntax; no legacy C# compatibility; no Rust lifetime annotations or pedantic syntax.

Goals

speed and simplicity, a C++ replacement. Also targets very small devices (micro-controllers, C64-class machines).

Inspiration

semantics and memory model from Rust; syntax from C# and Dart.

Planned

native Entity Framework syntax, Vulkan integration (design in progress).

Why?

For fun, mostly. The idea is to use all good ideas from Rust but with a syntax closer to C# (and other C-style languages)

Weird name

D-flat D♭ as musical note, is often considered "better" or more practical than C-sharp C♯ primarily because of key signatures and readability.

• D♭ major uses 5 flats (D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C). • C♯ major uses 7 sharps (C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯), which includes double-accidentals or awkward theoretical notes like E♯ (which is a F) and B♯ (which is a C). • Because 5 flats are much easier to read and write than 7 sharps, musicians, brass players, and woodwind players generally prefer D♭ major over C♯ major.

So, same power but easier.