@jsy-lang/jsy

JSY is a syntax dialect for ECMAScript using offside indentation similar to Python or CoffeeScript from ES5 to modern JavaScript (ES2025).

This library is the JSY tranpiler and scanner written in JSY itself. Zero runtime dependencies. No Babel. No Acorn. 6300 unit tests and counting.

Docs

• JSY website
• JSY syntax dialect for details on the JSY dialect.

Getting Started

Use directly with node

node --import @jsy-lang/nodejs example.jsy

Use with Rollup or Vite (primary method)

// rollup.config.js
import rpi_jsy from '@jsy-lang/jsy/rollup' // or from 'rollup-plugin-jsy'

export default {
    input: 'code/example.jsy',
    plugins: [rpi_jsy()],
    output: { file: 'esm/example.js', format: 'es', sourcemap: true } }

Consider starting from a JSY template, such as npm init jsy basic. See npm-create-jsy.

Use from HTML

...
<script type='module' src='https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@jsy-lang/jsy@latest/jsy-script.js'></script>
...
<jsy-script>
  if true ::
    console.log @
      "Fun with JSY"
</jsy-script>
...

Examine JSY transpiled code

npx @jsy-lang/jsy example.jsy

Background and History

Inspired by an indented dialect of LISP called Wisp, JSY primarily operates as a scanner-pass syntax transformation to change indented (offside) code into the corresponding open/close matching token JavaScript code. Thus the internal scanning parser only has to be aware of /* comments */ and "string literals" rules to successfully transform code. Thus, as a dialect, JSY automatically keeps pace with modern JavaScript editions!

Our opinion is that indentation is a strong expression of the author's intention, and should be observed by the language dialect. As a dialect, JSY leading operators opt into the offside indentation, and standard JavaScript continues to work without modification. As a code author, indentation frees you from painstakingly matching open/close sections {} () [] so you can focus on the logic. As a code reader, your screen is uncluttered by lines of closing punctuation -- allowing you to focus on the logic.

This project originally started as Babel extension plugin. In 2018, we transitioned the project to a scanner-based text transformation library independent of the Babel ecosystem, designed to work with Rollup and similar transpilation tools in the JavaScript ecosystem. We've been iterating it, growing and testing the operators, eating our own dogfood, building an extensive test suite, and adapting it to new tools Vite.

Acknowledging that many dislike indented languages. JSY was not made for you. JSY was made for ourselves first -- the thing we wished existed. And now JSY is offered for everyone who prefers indention over open/close punctuation. We hope some of you enjoy using it; we certainly do.

License

BSD-2-Clause License