lux/docs

Lux Documentation

Lux is a functional programming language with first-class algebraic effects. It combines the safety of static typing with the flexibility of effect handlers, letting you write pure code that can do impure things—without losing control.

Quick Links

I want to...	Go to...
Try Lux in 5 minutes	Quick Start
Learn Lux systematically	The Lux Guide
Understand effects	Effects Guide
Look up syntax	Language Reference
See the standard library	Standard Library
Build something	Tutorials

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Quick Start

Install

# Clone and build
git clone https://github.com/your-org/lux
cd lux
cargo build --release

# Or with Nix
nix build

Hello World

Create hello.lux:

fn main(): Unit with {Console} =
    Console.print("Hello, World!")

let output = run main() with {}

Run it:

lux hello.lux
# Output: Hello, World!

The REPL

$ lux
Lux v0.1.0 - Type :help for commands

> 1 + 2 * 3
7

> fn square(x: Int): Int = x * x
<function>

> square(5)
25

> List.map([1, 2, 3], fn(x: Int): Int => x * 2)
[2, 4, 6]

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What Makes Lux Different?

1. Effects Are Explicit

In most languages, a function can do anything—print, crash, launch missiles—and the type doesn't tell you. In Lux, side effects are tracked:

// This function ONLY does math—the type guarantees it
fn add(a: Int, b: Int): Int = a + b

// This function uses Console—you can see it in the signature
fn greet(name: String): Unit with {Console} =
    Console.print("Hello, " + name)

2. Effects Are Handleable

Effects aren't just tracked—they're values you can intercept and redefine:

effect Logger {
    fn log(msg: String): Unit
}

fn compute(): Int with {Logger} = {
    Logger.log("Starting")
    let result = 42
    Logger.log("Done")
    result
}

// Run with console logging
handler consoleLogger: Logger {
    fn log(msg) = {
        Console.print("[LOG] " + msg)
        resume(())
    }
}

let result = run compute() with { Logger = consoleLogger }

3. Handlers Can Resume

Unlike exceptions, effect handlers can continue the computation:

effect Ask {
    fn ask(question: String): String
}

fn survey(): Unit with {Ask, Console} = {
    let name = Ask.ask("What's your name?")
    let color = Ask.ask("Favorite color?")
    Console.print(name + " likes " + color)
}

// Handler that provides answers
handler autoAnswer: Ask {
    fn ask(q) =
        if String.contains(q, "name") then resume("Alice")
        else resume("blue")
}

run survey() with { Ask = autoAnswer }
// Output: Alice likes blue

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Documentation Structure

The Lux Guide

A sequential guide to learning Lux, from basics to advanced topics.

1. Introduction - Why Lux, installation, first program
2. Basic Types - Int, String, Bool, functions
3. Functions - Definitions, closures, higher-order
4. Data Types - ADTs, pattern matching, records
5. Effects - The core innovation
6. Handlers - Defining and using handlers
7. Modules - Code organization, imports
8. Error Handling - Fail effect, Option, Result
9. Standard Library - Built-in functions
10. Advanced Topics - Traits, generics, optimization
11. Databases - SQL, transactions, testing with handlers

Language Reference

Complete syntax and semantics reference.

• Syntax - Grammar and syntax rules
• Standard Library - Built-in functions and modules

Tutorials

Project-based learning.

• Calculator - Basic REPL calculator
• Dependency Injection - Testing with effects
• Project Ideas - Ideas for building with Lux

Design Documents

• Packages - Package manager and dependencies
• SQL Design Analysis - SQL as built-in vs package
• Roadmap - Development priorities and status
• Website Plan - Website architecture and content

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Project Ideas

Once you've learned the basics, try building:

Beginner

• Unit converter - Temperatures, distances, weights
• Word counter - Count words, lines, characters in files
• Quiz game - Random questions with scoring

Intermediate

• Markdown parser - Parse and render Markdown
• Task manager - CLI todo list with file persistence
• API client - Fetch and display data from a REST API

Advanced

• Effect-based testing framework - Use effects for test isolation
• Configuration DSL - Effect-based config with validation
• Interpreter - Build a small language interpreter

Showcasing Effects

• Transactional file system - Rollback on failure using effects
• Mock HTTP for testing - Swap real HTTP with mock handlers
• Async simulation - Model concurrency with effect handlers
• Capability-based security - Effects as capabilities

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Philosophy

Lux is designed around these principles:

1. Explicitness over magic - Effects in the type signature, not hidden
2. Composition over inheritance - Effects combine freely
3. Safety with escape hatches - Type safety by default, but practical
4. Functional core, imperative shell - Pure logic, effectful boundaries

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Getting Help

• REPL: Type :help for commands
• LSP: Full IDE support in VS Code, Neovim
• Examples: See examples/ directory
• Issues: Report bugs on GitHub

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Lux: Where effects are first-class citizens.