Discover Hurl: Language Focused on Exception Handling

BY Mark Howell 26 May 20244 MINS READ
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Today in Edworking News we want to talk about Hurl, the Exceptional language. Hurl is a language created for one purpose: to explore a language based around exception handling as the only control flow. It was sparked from conversations between Nicole Tietz-Sokolskaya and friends from Recurse Center whose identities will be withheld for their dignity. This site contains documentation around how to use Hurl. It also provides some examples and guidance for debugging and answers questions.

Praise for Hurl

It comes highly endorsed:

  • "I, uh, have changed my mind about ever implementing a language based on Hurl. This monstrosity is beautiful, and I must never touch it. I don't want my name associated with this in any way." - Erika Rowland

  • "Unfortunately, I decided to make this language a reality. I'm sorry." - Nicole Tietz-Sokolskaya

  • "🤮 is an available quote?" - Mary McGrath

  • "Certified unhinged™!" - Nate (@[email protected])
    To add more praise, email Nicole (please include positive consent to include said quote on this site).

Source Code

The source code for Hurl and for this site are both available in Hurl's repo. Emailed patches are welcome if you find a bug or an error, but you'll need to sign over all rights to the patch: I need to preserve the ability to relicense this and license it commercially.

Licenses

For this project, I considered joke licenses and unfortunate licenses. Ultimately, this software is licensed under the following three very serious licenses:
You may use the software under any one of these licenses, without regard for the others. Erika did consent to posting this and provided it in its current form. If someone actually does not want their name associated, I would not include it.

Summary

Hurl is an exceptional language designed to explore how a language can function with exception handling as the core control flow mechanism. Created by Nicole Tietz-Sokolskaya and inspired by discussions with friends from Recurse Center, Hurl provides a unique take on programming by making exceptions the foundational pillar of the control structure.
The language's site is not just a repository of documentation but also a treasure trove of examples and debugging guidance. It's a platform where developers can delve into the intricacies of Hurl, audit sample codes, and follow clear debugging steps.
Despite its unconventional approach, Hurl has garnered mixed reviews. Some love it so much that they would never use it, while others describe it using humorous or outright bizarre phrases. Here are a few memorable endorsements:

  • Erika Rowland says, "I must never touch it. I don't want my name associated with this in any way."

  • Nicole Tietz-Sokolskaya claims, "Unfortunately, I decided to make this language a reality. I'm sorry."

  • Mary McGrath questions if "🤮" is an available quote.

  • Nate amusingly labels it as "Certified unhinged™!"
    The source code of Hurl and its website are openly available in the Hurl's GitHub repository. Patches can be submitted via email, but contributors should be prepared to sign over all rights, allowing Nicole to maintain flexibility in licensing and commercializing the language.

Licenses

Hurl is distributed under a trio of somewhat whimsical, yet entirely legitimate licenses. These three options offer flexibility, ensuring users can select the one most suited to their needs. The chosen licenses aim to balance developer freedom with the creator's need to relicense and possibly commercialize the software.

Hurl, while a fascinating experiment, might not be a language for everyone. However, for those keen on exploring advanced control flow mechanisms and debugging practices, it offers a unique learning experience.
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Remember these 3 key ideas for your startup:

  1. Explore Beyond Conventional: Hurl's approach of using exception handling as the sole control flow can ignite innovation. By stepping out of traditional paradigms, startups can discover new and effective methodologies.

  2. Community and Open Source: With its openly available source code, Hurl emphasizes the importance of collaboration. Startups can benefit immensely by participating in open-source communities, fostering innovation, and crowd sourcing solutions.

  3. Licensing Flexibility: The mix of licenses offered by Hurl provides a model for balancing user freedom and commercial interests. Learning from this approach can help startups create flexible yet secure licensing models for their products.

In conclusion, Hurl's dedication to a unique control flow mechanism highlights the power of unconventional thinking. Startups can draw inspiration from its innovative methodologies, community-driven development, and balanced licensing strategies, leading to greater flexibility and creativity in their ventures.
For more details, see the original source.

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About the Author: Mark Howell Linkedin

Mark Howell is a talented content writer for Edworking's blog, consistently producing high-quality articles on a daily basis. As a Sales Representative, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, providing valuable insights and actionable advice for readers in the education industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sharing knowledge, Mark is an indispensable member of the Edworking team. His expertise in task management ensures that he is always on top of his assignments and meets strict deadlines. Furthermore, Mark's skills in project management enable him to collaborate effectively with colleagues, contributing to the team's overall success and growth. As a reliable and diligent professional, Mark Howell continues to elevate Edworking's blog and brand with his well-researched and engaging content.

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