BembaJS Core

1.4.27 verified Fri May 01 auth: no javascript

The core compiler and runtime for the Bemba programming language, enabling React-based web development with Bemba syntax (a Zambian language). Current stable version is 1.4.27, with an active release cadence focused on React integration and tooling. Key differentiators: it is the first programming language based on an African language (Bemba), compiled to JavaScript with full React compatibility. It supports conditionals, loops, async/await, and state management with Bemba keywords. Notably, it requires React 18+ and ReactDOM as peer dependencies. Ships TypeScript definitions and supports ESM/CJS.

Common errors

error SyntaxError: Unexpected token in Bemba code ↓

cause Missing semicolon or incorrect Bemba keyword.

fix

Ensure all statements end with semicolon and check keyword spelling.

error Cannot find module 'bembajs-core' or its corresponding type declarations. ↓

cause Package not installed or TypeScript types missing.

fix

Run npm install bembajs-core and ensure tsconfig includes 'node_modules/@types'.

error ReferenceError: require is not defined in ES module scope ↓

cause Using require() with an ESM-only package version.

fix

Switch to import syntax or set 'type': 'module' in package.json.

error Error: The 'react' peer dependency is not installed. ↓

cause React is required but not listed in dependencies.

fix

Run npm install react react-dom.

Warnings

deprecated ukusungaKabili is deprecated and will be removed in v2.0. ↓

fix Replace with ukusunga and useEffect manually.

breaking ESM-only since v1.4.0 - CJS require() will fail. ↓

fix Use import syntax or migrate to ESM.

gotcha Peer dependencies react and react-dom must be installed separately. ↓

fix Run: npm install react react-dom

breaking State management keywords changed in v1.2.0 (ukusunga replaces ukusinga). ↓

fix Update code to use ukusunga instead of ukusinga.

gotcha .bemba files require a Babel plugin or custom build step to compile. ↓

fix Use the BembaJS Vite plugin or compile via CLI before bundling.

Install

npm install bembajs-core

yarn add bembajs-core

pnpm add bembajs-core

Imports

bembaJS

wrong

const bembajs = require('bembajs-core')

correct

import { bembajs } from 'bembajs-core'

ESM-only since v1.4.0; CJS not supported in recent versions.

compileBemba

wrong

import compileBemba from 'bembajs-core'

correct

import { compileBemba } from 'bembajs-core'

Named export, not default.

BembaRuntime
```
import { BembaRuntime } from 'bembajs-core'
```
TypeScript type used for runtime config.

Quickstart

Compiles Bemba language code into a React component with state management.

import { compileBemba } from 'bembajs-core';

const bembaCode = `
  ukusunga (@mut) count = 0;
  ukulomba @mut count;
  ukusapoti() {
    @mut count += 1;
  }
`;

const compiled = compileBemba(bembaCode);
console.log(compiled);
// Output: React component with hooks