Learn OOK with Real Code Examples

Ook! is a direct syntactic parody of Brainfuck.

Each Brainfuck instruction is replaced by a two-word Ook phrase.

Programs contain sequences like 'Ook. Ook?' or 'Ook! Ook!'.

Because it maps 1:1 to Brainfuck, it supports tape-based memory.

Intentionally humorous and used in esolang communities.

Tape-based memory model

Pointer movement left/right

Increment/decrement cells

Character input/output

Looping via brackets mapped to Ook commands

Two-word commands represent instructions

Underlying Brainfuck model

Tape memory manipulation

Pointer movement

Looping via Ook phrases

src/ - Ook code files

examples/ - sample programs

interpreters/ - CLI tools

docs/ - Ook-to-Brainfuck mapping

tools/ - converters and formatters

Write .ook code using pairs of Ook words

Run using an interpreter

Convert from Brainfuck if needed

Test output and memory behavior

Refine code for shorter or funnier versions

Beginner: simple pointer moves

Intermediate: arithmetic on tape

Advanced: loops and branching

Expert: optimized Brainfuck algorithms

Educational: teaching esolang basics

Ook! vs Brainfuck: same logic, but Ook! uses readable comedic phrases.

Ook! vs Befunge: Ook! is linear; Befunge is 2D.

Ook! vs Malbolge: Ook! is simple; Malbolge is chaotic.

Ook! vs INTERCAL: Ook! is fun; INTERCAL is intentionally painful.

Ook! vs Python: Python is practical; Ook! is purely esoteric.

2001 – Ook! created

2000s – Popular in esolang circles

2010s – Online interpreters emerge

2020s – Used in code-golf

Ongoing – Maintained as a humorous language

Tape: linear memory used in Brainfuck/​Ook!

Pointer: selects active cell

Command pair: two-word Ook instruction

Loop: repeated code section

Interpreter: tool executing Ook code