Introduction to 0xBASIC
Purpose
0xBASIC is a programming language designed to simplify smart contract development on the Chia Blockchain by combining the familiar, beginner-friendly syntax of BASIC with the robust, secure capabilities of CLVM (ChiaLisp Virtual Machine) bytecode. Inspired by the simplicity and clarity of QuickBASIC 4.5, 0xBASIC aims to make blockchain programming accessible to developers of all skill levels, from hobbyists to professionals, without sacrificing the power and flexibility required for decentralized applications. By compiling directly to CLVM bytecode, 0xBASIC provides full access to Chia's blockchain features, such as coin creation, cryptographic operations, and immutable contract execution, while maintaining a readable, modern BASIC-style syntax.
The primary purpose of 0xBASIC is to lower the barrier to entry for Chia Blockchain development. Traditional blockchain programming languages like ChiaLisp, while powerful, can be daunting due to their Lisp-based syntax and functional programming paradigms. 0xBASIC bridges this gap by exposing CLVM's capabilities through a syntax that feels intuitive to those familiar with BASIC or imperative programming, while still adhering to the immutable, deterministic, and functional requirements of blockchain environments. Whether you're building decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, tokenized assets, or custom smart contracts, 0xBASIC empowers you to leverage Chia's eco-friendly and secure blockchain with ease.
Design Goals
The design of 0xBASIC is guided by the following principles:
- Simplicity and Familiarity: Adopt a modern BASIC syntax inspired by QuickBASIC 4.5, free of outdated constructs like line numbers, to ensure readability and ease of use for developers accustomed to imperative programming.
- Seamless CLVM Integration: Compile directly to efficient CLVM bytecode, ensuring full compatibility with Chia's blockchain features and no reliance on paradigms that don't map well to CLVM (e.g., file I/O or mutable state).
- Blockchain-Native Functionality: Provide direct support for Chia-specific operations, such as coin creation, assertions, and cryptographic functions, to enable robust smart contract development.
- Functional Programming Accessibility: Expose CLVM's functional programming concepts, such as immutable data and deterministic execution, through intuitive BASIC-style constructs.
- Cross-Platform Portability: Ensure 0xBASIC runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of developers.
- Educational Value: Serve as an approachable entry point for learning blockchain development, particularly for students, hobbyists, and developers new to Chia or smart contracts.
- Open and Extensible: Release under the Apache 2.0 license to encourage community contributions and adoption, with an implementation in Python for maintainability and portability.
By adhering to these goals, 0xBASIC aims to democratize Chia Blockchain development, enabling a broader community to build secure, efficient, and innovative smart contracts.
Overview of Features
0xBASIC is designed to provide a streamlined, powerful, and accessible programming experience for Chia Blockchain development. Below is an overview of its key features, which reflect its role as a modern, blockchain-focused language with BASIC-inspired syntax.
1. QuickBASIC 4.5-Inspired Syntax
- 0xBASIC adopts a clean, modern BASIC syntax inspired by QuickBASIC 4.5, emphasizing readability and simplicity.
- Eliminates outdated BASIC constructs like line numbers, using structured programming elements such as functions, loops, and conditionals.
- Provides familiar keywords (e.g.,
IF, FOR, WHILE, FUNCTION) adapted to CLVM's functional and immutable model, making it intuitive for developers with BASIC or imperative programming experience.
2. Direct CLVM Bytecode Compilation
- Compiles 0xBASIC source code (.bas files) directly into efficient CLVM bytecode through a robust compilation pipeline: Lexer → Parser → Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) → Code Generator → CLVM Bytecode.
- Ensures optimal performance and compatibility with the Chia Blockchain, leveraging CLVM's deterministic execution model.
- Avoids unnecessary abstractions, mapping 0xBASIC constructs directly to CLVM opcodes for transparency and efficiency.
3. Blockchain-Native Operations
- Offers built-in support for Chia Blockchain operations, including:
- Coin Management: Keywords like
CREATE_COIN and COINID for creating and managing coins.
- Assertions: Keywords such as
ASSERT_MY_COIN_ID, ASSERT_HEIGHT_ABSOLUTE, and ASSERT_PUZZLE_ANNOUNCEMENT for enforcing smart contract conditions.
- Cryptographic Functions: Support for BLS signatures (
BLS_VERIFY), G1/G2 curve operations (G1_ADD, G2_MULTIPLY), and hashing (SHA256, KECCAK256).
- Messaging:
SEND_MESSAGE and RECEIVE_MESSAGE for inter-coin communication.
- Enables developers to build complex smart contracts, such as DeFi protocols or tokenized assets, with native blockchain primitives.
4. Functional Programming with BASIC Simplicity
- Exposes CLVM's functional programming paradigm through BASIC-style syntax, making concepts like immutability, list manipulation, and quoting accessible.
- Supports list operations (
FIRST, REST, CONS, MAP, FILTER), quoting (QUOTE, QUASIQUOTE), and function application (APPLY) with intuitive keywords.
- Ensures deterministic execution, aligning with CLVM's requirements for secure and predictable smart contracts.
5. Immutable and Deterministic Execution
- Enforces an immutable data model, eliminating features like mutable variables or file I/O that don't map to CLVM's blockchain environment.
- Guarantees deterministic execution, critical for consistent smart contract behavior across the Chia network.
6. Cross-Platform Support
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for developers on any platform.
- Implemented in Python for portability, maintainability, and ease of community contributions.
7. Educational Focus
- Designed as an ideal learning tool for blockchain development, with a gentle learning curve for beginners and students.
- Simplifies complex blockchain concepts through familiar BASIC syntax, making it easier to understand smart contract mechanics and CLVM's functional model.
- Encourages experimentation and prototyping for educational and hobbyist projects.
8. Open-Source and Community-Driven
- Licensed under the Apache 2.0 license, promoting open collaboration and community contributions.
- Source code and documentation are accessible to encourage extensions, optimizations, and integrations with the Chia ecosystem.
9. Minimalist Feature Set
- Excludes features that don't align with CLVM's capabilities, such as
PRINT statements or file operations, to maintain a focused, blockchain-centric language.
- Prioritizes only the keywords and constructs necessary for Chia smart contract development, ensuring a lean and efficient language.
10. Extensible Compilation Pipeline
- Features a modular compilation pipeline that allows for future enhancements, such as optimizations or support for additional CLVM-based blockchains.
- Provides clear stages (lexing, parsing, AST generation, code generation) for maintainability and developer customization.
Implementation Details
- Author: Steve Stepp (steppsr)
- Implementation Language: Python, chosen for its portability, readability, and extensive library support.
- Target Platform: CLVM-based blockchains, with a primary focus on the Chia Blockchain.
- File Extension: 0xBASIC source files use the
.bas extension, maintaining a nod to BASIC's heritage.
0xBASIC Project Documentation List
Below is a list of key documents that will guide the development of 0xBASIC.
1. Project Overview Document
Purpose: Provides a high-level description of 0xBASIC, its goals, and its intended functionality to give AI tools a clear understanding of the project's scope and objectives.
Contents:
- Project Name and Description: Define 0xBASIC as a programming language with a BASIC-like syntax that compiles to CLVM for execution in the Chia blockchain ecosystem.
- Goals and Objectives: Outline the purpose, such as simplifying smart contract development for Chia with a familiar, beginner-friendly syntax while leveraging CLVM’s security and efficiency.
- Target Audience: Specify who will use 0xBASIC (e.g., developers familiar with BASIC, blockchain developers targeting Chia, hobbyists).
- Key Features: List core features, such as:
- BASIC-like syntax (e.g., PRINT, IF...THEN, FOR...NEXT).
- Compilation to CLVM bytecode.
- Support for Chia-specific operations (e.g., coin puzzles, spend conditions).
- Error handling and debugging tools.
- Inspiration and Context: Reference BASIC (for syntax simplicity) and ChiaLisp/CLVM (for compilation target). Explain why BASIC syntax is chosen (e.g., readability, accessibility).
- High-Level Architecture: Describe the pipeline: source code → parser → intermediate representation (IR) → CLVM bytecode → execution on Chia VM.
- Constraints: Highlight limitations, such as CLVM’s functional programming model, stateless execution, or performance considerations.
- Success Criteria: Define what success looks like (e.g., working compiler, usable smart contracts, community adoption).
2. Language Specification Document
Purpose: Defines the syntax, semantics, and behavior of 0xBASIC to guide AI tools in implementing the language’s core components, such as the parser and compiler.
Contents:
- Syntax Rules: Provide a formal grammar (e.g., in EBNF or BNF) for 0xBASIC, including:
- Keywords (e.g., LET, IF, GOTO, FUNCTION).
- Variable declarations and scoping rules.
- Control structures (e.g., loops, conditionals).
- Data types (e.g., integers, strings, lists, or Chia-specific types like coins or puzzles).
- Operators (e.g., arithmetic, logical, Chia-specific operations like sha256tree).
- Semantics: Explain the meaning of each construct, such as:
- How IF...THEN maps to CLVM’s conditional evaluation.
- How variables are handled in a functional, stateless environment.
- How functions or procedures translate to CLVM puzzles.
- Chia-Specific Features: Detail constructs unique to 0xBASIC, such as:
- Syntax for defining coin puzzles or spend conditions.
- Support for Chia’s cryptographic primitives (e.g., signatures, hash functions).
- Examples: Provide sample 0xBASIC programs with their expected CLVM output to illustrate how the language works.
- Error Handling: Specify how invalid syntax or semantics should be reported (e.g., error messages, line numbers).
- Comparison to BASIC and ChiaLisp: Highlight similarities to BASIC (e.g., simplicity) and differences (e.g., functional programming constraints from CLVM).
3. Compiler Design Document
Purpose: Outlines the architecture and implementation details of the 0xBASIC compiler to guide AI tools in building the compiler and related tools.
Contents:
- Compiler Pipeline:
- Lexical Analysis: How the lexer tokenizes 0xBASIC source code (e.g., keywords, identifiers, operators).
- Syntax Analysis: How the parser builds an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) based on the language grammar.
- Semantic Analysis: Rules for type checking, variable scoping, and ensuring CLVM compatibility.
- Intermediate Representation (IR): Define an IR (e.g., a simplified AST or three-address code) to bridge 0xBASIC and CLVM.
- Code Generation: How the IR is translated to CLVM bytecode, including mappings for control structures, functions, and Chia-specific operations.
- Optimization: Optional optimizations, such as constant folding or dead code elimination, tailored to CLVM’s constraints.
- Input/Output:
- Input: 0xBASIC source files (e.g., .bas extension).
- Output: CLVM bytecode or serialized puzzle files compatible with Chia.
- Tooling Requirements:
- Command-line interface (e.g.,
0xbasic compile program.bas).
- Debugging output (e.g., AST dumps, IR visualization).
- Error reporting (e.g., detailed messages with line numbers).
- Dependencies: List external libraries or tools (e.g., CLVM runtime, Chia blockchain SDK).
- Performance Goals: Specify compilation speed and output efficiency (e.g., minimizing CLVM bytecode size).
- Testing Strategy: Describe test cases for each compiler stage (e.g., lexer tests, parser tests, end-to-end compilation tests).
4. Standard Library Specification
Purpose: Defines the built-in functions and utilities available in 0xBASIC to guide AI tools in implementing the standard library and ensuring compatibility with CLVM.
Contents:
- Core Functions: List standard functions, such as:
- Arithmetic operations (e.g., ADD, SUB, MUL).
- String manipulation (e.g., CONCAT, LEN).
- Chia-specific operations (e.g., CREATE_COIN, VERIFY_SIGNATURE).
- Function Signatures: Specify inputs, outputs, and behavior for each function (e.g., PRINT(str) outputs to a log or returns a value in CLVM).
- Mapping to CLVM: Explain how each function translates to CLVM opcodes or existing ChiaLisp functions.
- Extensibility: Describe how developers can add custom functions or libraries.
- Constraints: Highlight limitations imposed by CLVM (e.g., no mutable state, functional purity).
- Examples: Provide sample code using standard library functions (e.g., a coin puzzle that checks a signature).
5. User Documentation
Purpose: Provides a user-facing guide for developers writing 0xBASIC code, which AI tools can use to ensure the language is intuitive and well-documented.
Contents:
- Introduction: Explain what 0xBASIC is, its purpose, and how it integrates with Chia.
- Installation: Instructions for installing the 0xBASIC compiler and runtime (e.g., via package managers or source).
- Tutorial: A step-by-step guide to writing a simple 0xBASIC program (e.g., a coin puzzle).
- Syntax Reference: A comprehensive list of language constructs, with examples for each (e.g., FOR loops, IF statements).
- Standard Library Reference: Documentation for all built-in functions, with examples.
- Chia Integration: How to deploy 0xBASIC programs as Chia smart contracts, including interaction with the Chia blockchain.
- Best Practices: Tips for writing efficient and secure 0xBASIC code (e.g., minimizing bytecode size, avoiding common pitfalls).
- Troubleshooting: Common errors and their solutions (e.g., syntax errors, CLVM runtime issues).
- Examples: Full programs demonstrating real-world use cases, such as a coin spend puzzle or a multi-signature wallet.
6. Development Guide
Purpose: Guides AI tools and human contributors in developing and maintaining the 0xBASIC project, ensuring consistency across components.
Contents:
- Project Structure: Describe the repository layout (e.g., /src/parser, /src/compiler, /docs, /tests).
- Tech Stack: Specify the programming language(s) for the compiler (e.g., Python, Rust) and tools (e.g., ANTLR for parsing, LLVM for IR).
- Coding Standards: Define style guidelines (e.g., PEP 8 for Python, naming conventions) and documentation requirements (e.g., docstrings).
- Build Instructions: How to build the compiler and run tests (e.g.,
make build, make test).
- Testing Framework: Describe the testing setup, including unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests for compiling and running 0xBASIC programs.
- Contribution Guidelines: How to submit changes, including pull request templates and code review processes.
- Versioning: Explain versioning strategy (e.g., Semantic Versioning) and release process.
- Dependencies: List all external tools and libraries (e.g., CLVM libraries, testing frameworks).
7. CLVM Integration Guide
Purpose: Details how 0xBASIC interacts with CLVM and the Chia blockchain to guide AI tools in ensuring compatibility and correctness.
Contents:
- CLVM Overview: Summarize CLVM’s architecture, including its functional programming model, opcodes, and execution environment.
- Mapping 0xBASIC to CLVM: Explain how 0xBASIC constructs (e.g., loops, functions) translate to CLVM’s s-expression-based bytecode.
- Chia-Specific Features: Describe how 0xBASIC supports Chia’s coin puzzles, spend conditions, and cryptographic operations.
- Runtime Environment: Explain how compiled 0xBASIC programs are executed in the Chia blockchain (e.g., as serialized puzzles).
- Constraints and Limitations: Highlight CLVM’s restrictions, such as no mutable state, limited recursion, and resource limits (e.g., cost constraints).
- Testing on Chia: Describe how to test 0xBASIC programs on Chia’s testnet or mainnet, including tools like
chia_dev_tools.
- Examples: Provide 0xBASIC code alongside its CLVM output and explain how it executes in Chia.
8. Testing and Validation Plan
Purpose: Defines how to test and validate the 0xBASIC compiler and runtime to ensure reliability and correctness, guiding AI tools in creating robust tests.
Contents:
- Test Categories:
- Unit Tests: For individual components (e.g., lexer, parser, code generator).
- Integration Tests: For the full compilation pipeline (e.g., source to CLVM).
- End-to-End Tests: For running compiled programs on the Chia blockchain.
- Test Cases:
- Syntax validation (e.g., correct and incorrect programs).
- Semantic checks (e.g., type mismatches, undefined variables).
- CLVM output correctness (e.g., comparing generated bytecode to expected output).
- Chia integration (e.g., deploying a coin puzzle and verifying its behavior).
- Test Tools: Specify tools like
pytest, chia_dev_tools, or custom scripts for testing.
- Coverage Goals: Aim for high code coverage (e.g., 90% for critical components).
- Error Testing: Test how the compiler handles invalid input (e.g., syntax errors, unsupported features).
- Performance Testing: Measure compilation speed and bytecode efficiency.
- Sample Programs: Provide a suite of 0xBASIC programs for testing, covering all language features.
9. Roadmap and Milestones
Purpose: Outlines the development timeline and priorities to guide AI tools in planning and prioritizing tasks.
Contents:
- Phases:
- Phase 1: Core language design and parser (e.g., syntax, lexer, AST).
- Phase 2: Compiler backend and CLVM code generation.
- Phase 3: Standard library and Chia integration.
- Phase 4: Tooling (e.g., debugger, CLI, IDE plugins).
- Phase 5: Documentation and community release.
- Milestones: Specific deliverables for each phase (e.g., “Compile a simple 0xBASIC program to CLVM by Q1 2026”).
- Priorities: Highlight critical features (e.g., core syntax, CLVM compatibility) versus optional ones (e.g., optimizations, advanced tooling).
- Dependencies: Note dependencies between tasks (e.g., parser must be complete before code generation).
- Timeline: Provide estimated timelines for each phase (e.g., 3 months for parser development).
10. Community and Contribution Guidelines
Purpose: Defines how the 0xBASIC community will operate and how contributors (including AI tools) can participate, ensuring consistent and collaborative development.
Contents:
- Community Vision: Explain the goal of building an open-source, accessible language for Chia developers.
- Contribution Process:
- How to submit code (e.g., GitHub pull requests).
- Code review and approval process.
- Issue tracking (e.g., GitHub issues for bugs and feature requests).
- Code of Conduct: Guidelines for respectful collaboration.
- Documentation Standards: How to document code and contributions (e.g., README updates, inline comments).
- Licensing: Specify the license for 0xBASIC (e.g., MIT, Apache 2.0).
- Communication Channels: List forums, Discord, or other platforms for community discussion.
- AI-Specific Guidelines: Note how AI tools should format outputs (e.g., structured code, detailed comments) and handle iterative feedback.
