Learn Intercal - 10 Code Examples & CST Typing Practice Test
INTERCAL (Compiler Language With No Pronounceable Acronym) is an esoteric programming language designed to be as different from conventional languages as possible, often intentionally obscure and humorous.
Learn INTERCAL with Real Code Examples
Updated Nov 25, 2025
Explain
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.
Core Features
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
Basic Concepts Overview
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
Project Structure
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
Building Workflow
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
Difficulty Use Cases
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
Comparisons
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
Versioning Timeline
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
Glossary
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Intercal
What is Intercal?
INTERCAL (Compiler Language With No Pronounceable Acronym) is an esoteric programming language designed to be as different from conventional languages as possible, often intentionally obscure and humorous.
What are the primary use cases for Intercal?
Esoteric language experimentation. Humorous programming challenges. Teaching unconventional programming concepts. Code obfuscation contests. Studying Turing-completeness in non-standard languages
What are the strengths of Intercal?
Humorous and challenging for programmers. Great for understanding Turing-completeness in absurd contexts. Encourages creative thinking about programming design. Supported by interpreters for experimentation. Strong community of esolang enthusiasts
What are the limitations of Intercal?
Extremely difficult to read and write. Not suitable for practical programming. Sparse documentation and few tutorials. Code can be intentionally nonsensical. Learning curve is steep due to unusual syntax
How can I practice Intercal typing speed?
CodeSpeedTest offers 10+ real Intercal code examples for typing practice. You can measure your WPM, track accuracy, and improve your coding speed with guided exercises.