Quickstart

This page gives you the shortest path from a blank file to a running Metel program.

1. Build the interpreter

From the metel repository, build the interpreter first:

cd metel-interpreter
cargo build --release

tip

One-Time Setup

You only need to rebuild after changing the interpreter itself. For ordinary language experiments, reuse the existing build.

2. Write a program

Create a file such as hello.mtl:

fun main() {
    println("hello, Metel");
}

3. Run it

Use the interpreter on the file path:

cargo run -- path/to/hello.mtl

note

Fast Iteration

Use cargo run -- ... while you are iterating quickly. Keep the release build from step 1 when you want the fastest repeated runs.

If you are just testing changes, cargo run -- is enough. If you want the fastest repeated run, keep the release build from step 1 and point the interpreter at the file you want to execute.

What next

• Read the first tutorial for a slower, guided introduction.
• Skim the language reference once you know the basic execution flow.
• Check the error catalog when you want the public failure modes.