iota-compiler

0.2.3 verified Fri May 01 auth: no javascript

Io-to-JavaScript source-to-source compiler, version 0.2.3. Originally written for CodeCombat's parser challenge, now used in CodeCombat via Aether. Compiles a minimal subset of Io (messages, objects, methods, prototype chain, infix operators) into JavaScript. Dependencies include Escodegen for code generation and Jison for parsing. The project is in early development; many core constructs and standard library features are missing. Differentiators: direct JavaScript interop, AST conforms to Mozilla Parser API, CLI and library usage.

Common errors

error ReferenceError: _io is not defined ↓

cause Missing runtime library when manually evaluating compiled JavaScript.

fix

Add const _io = require('iota-compiler').lib; before eval(iota.compile(code)).

error TypeError: iota.eval is not a function ↓

cause Using older import style (e.g., `import * as iota from 'iota-compiler'`)

fix

Use default import: import iota from 'iota-compiler' or const iota = require('iota-compiler').

error SyntaxError: Unexpected token ↓

cause Io code contains unsupported constructs like 'self' or first-class primitive methods.

fix

Review supported features; avoid using 'self' or unsupported operators.

Warnings

gotcha Only a minimal subset of Io is implemented; many standard library methods and constructs are missing. ↓

fix Check the 'Still to come' list in README; avoid using unsupported features.

gotcha The runtime library binding `_io` is required for manual eval; default export's `lib` property must be available. ↓

fix Always include `var _io = iota.lib;` before calling `eval(iota.compile(code))`.

gotcha Options like `wrapWithFunction` and `useProxy` change the output format; default is standalone code that may pollute global scope. ↓

fix Set `wrapWithFunction: true` to run within a function context, preventing global leaks.

Install

npm install iota-compiler

yarn add iota-compiler

pnpm add iota-compiler

Imports

default
wrong
```
const iota = require('iota-compiler')
```
correct
```
import iota from 'iota-compiler'
```
ESM import works with bundlers; CJS require also supported but ESM preferred.
parse
```
import { parse } from 'iota-compiler'
```
Named export for parsing Io code to AST.
compile
```
import { compile } from 'iota-compiler'
```
Named export for compiling Io code to JavaScript string.

eval

wrong

import ev from 'iota-compiler' then ev.eval()

correct

import { eval } from 'iota-compiler'

Named export, but avoid shadowing global eval; use iota.eval() or alias.

Quickstart

Shows basic usage of iota eval and compile with Io code to compute a greeting.

import iota from 'iota-compiler';

const ioCode = `
  greet := method(name,
    "Hello, " .. name
  )
  greet("World")
`;

// Evaluate with convenience method
const result = iota.eval(ioCode);
console.log(result); // Output: "Hello, World"

// Or compile and run manually
const compiled = iota.compile(ioCode);
eval(compiled);