Introduction

Welcome to the Zap documentation.

Zap is a statically typed, compiled systems programming language designed for building native software that remains clear as it grows. It combines safe defaults with direct access to C and low-level platform features when a program needs them.

Zap is currently in early alpha. The language, standard library, and tooling may change between releases.

Who this guide is for

This guide assumes that you have used another programming language. You do not need previous systems programming experience, but the guide does not teach programming from the beginning.

How to use this guide

The chapters are arranged as a learning path. They begin with installing Zap and writing a small program, then introduce the language one part at a time. Later chapters build on concepts explained earlier.

If you already know Zap, use the sidebar to open a specific topic or consult the standard library reference.

Start with installing Zap.