Learn INTERCAL with Real Code Examples

INTERCAL uses unconventional syntax and operations, such as COME FROM statements and non-standard operators.

It is Turing-complete, meaning it can theoretically compute anything conventional languages can, despite its intentionally confusing design.

The language is a parody, created to poke fun at the complexity of traditional programming languages.

COME FROM statements for control flow

Non-standard arithmetic and logical operations

Use of INTERCAL-specific operators like .1 and .2

Mandatory use of statements like PLEASE to modify program politeness

Lack of conventional loops and conditionals as in C or Python

Memory cells: store numeric values

COME FROM: unconventional control flow mechanism

PLEASE: politeness keyword affecting compilation

Operators: non-standard arithmetic/logical operators

Statements: typically confusing or humorous keywords

src/ - INTERCAL source files

examples/ - humorous or classic INTERCAL programs

tests/ - output verification scripts

docs/ - explanations of syntax and operators

tools/ - optional interpreters or compilers

Write INTERCAL code using text editor

Use unconventional control flow and operators

Test code with interpreter

Debug using program output, as visualization tools are limited

Iterate and refine to meet expected output

Beginner: run simple PRINT or OUTPUT statements

Intermediate: use arithmetic and basic control flow

Advanced: implement algorithms with COME FROM

Expert: write minimal and obfuscated INTERCAL programs

Educational: explore Turing-completeness in an absurd language

INTERCAL vs Brainfuck: Both are esoteric; INTERCAL is verbose and obscure, Brainfuck is minimalistic

INTERCAL vs Python: INTERCAL is humorous and confusing, Python is practical

INTERCAL vs Malbolge: Both intentionally difficult, Malbolge is self-altering, INTERCAL is absurdly verbose

INTERCAL vs C: INTERCAL is parody, C is structured low-level

INTERCAL vs JavaScript: INTERCAL is educational/entertaining, JS is production-ready

1972 – INTERCAL created by Don Woods and James Lyon

1973 – First interpreters available

1990s – C-INTERCAL became popular

2000s – Online interpreters and examples emerged

2020s – Maintained as educational and recreational esolang

Memory cells: units storing numeric values

COME FROM: control flow statement

PLEASE: keyword modifying compiler behavior

Operator: non-standard arithmetic/logical symbol

Statement: esoteric command in INTERCAL