Learn VALA with Real Code Examples

Vala allows developers to write GObject-based code with syntax similar to C# or Java.

It compiles to C, so the resulting binaries are native and efficient.

Commonly used for GNOME applications, desktop tools, and libraries requiring tight integration with C.

Compiled language targeting C

Strong type system with modern OOP features

GObject-based signal and property system

Automatic memory management with reference counting

Cross-platform support via C compilation

Classes, interfaces, and inheritance

Properties and signals for GObject integration

Reference counting for memory management

Namespaces and modules

Compilation workflow to C

src/ - Vala source files

include/ - headers if needed

lib/ - optional libraries

bin/ - compiled binaries

tests/ - unit tests

Write Vala source code (.vala files)

Compile using `valac` with necessary flags

Link against required libraries (e.g., GTK)

Run native binary

Debug using standard C debugging tools if needed

Beginner: simple CLI tools

Intermediate: GUI applications with GTK

Advanced: complex GNOME applications

Expert: library development with GObject bindings

Enterprise: cross-platform native apps leveraging C libraries

Higher-level than C, lower-level than Python

Simplifies GObject development compared to C

Faster than interpreted languages

Better integration with GNOME than general-purpose languages

Less versatile outside Linux/GTK ecosystem

2006 – Initial Vala development by Jürg Billeter

2007 – First public release

2010 – GTK+ 3 integration improvements

2015 – Expanded library support and language features

2025 – Latest stable release with modern GNOME/GTK support

Reference Counting: automatic memory management system

Signal: event mechanism in GObject

Property: attribute of a GObject with getter/setter

Interface: defines a contract for classes

Vala Compiler (valac): converts Vala code to C