Factor: a dynamic stack-based programming language

Abstract

Factor is a new dynamic object-oriented programming language. It began as an embedded scripting language and evolved to a mature application development language. The language has a simple execution model and is based on the manipulation of data on a stack. An advanced metaprogramming system provides means for easily extending the language. Thus, Factor allows programmers to use the right features for their problem domain. The Factor implementation is self-hosting, featuring an interactive development environment and an optimizing compiler. In this paper, the language and its implementation are presented.