Pencil Code Reference > CoffeeScript Keywords

 

CoffeeScript Keywords words with fixed meaning

CoffeeScript, the default language in Pencil Code, has a few dozen built-in keywords that have a fixed meaning that can never be redefined by a program. Here is a complete list of all the fixed keywords in CoffeeScript:

CoffeeScript Keywords
Loops
for, while, loop, by Repeats part of a program
in, of Tests or lists elements in a container
break, continue Gets out of a repeated loop
Choices
if, then, else, unless Picks between two choices in a program
switch, when, default Makes multi-way choices
Choices
=>, -> Declares a function
return Finishes a function normally
do Binds variables in a nested function block
Logic
is, isnt Tests equality and inequality
and, or, not Combines boolean values
true, yes, on Synonyms for the true boolean value
false, no, off Synonyms for the false boolean value
Exceptions
throw Signals an unusual error
try, catch, finally Handles unusual errors
Objects
new, delete Creates or deletes objects
class, extends, super Defines types of objects
typeof, instanceof Inspects or tests the type of an object
Variables
this Refers to the current object
arguments Refers to the current function arguments
Continuations
await, defer Suspends a function to wait for a result
yield Suspends a function to yield a result
Special Values
null, undefined Two values representing absence of an object
Infinity, NaN Two special mathematical values

CoffeeScript also has reserved keywords that do not mean anything in the language, but they are used in other programming languages, so to avoid confusion, you are not allowed to use these words in your programs. Here is that list.

Unused Reserved Keywords
export, import, package, let Reserved for future CoffeeScript
case, debugger, function, var, with Used in JavaScript
private, protected, public, native, static,
const, implements, interface, void, enum
Used in Java or C++

All other words in a CoffeeScript program can be redefined by an ordinary program.

Non-Keyword Identifiers

Other built-in functions may be predefined, but they can be redefined by your program.

Normally you want to avoid redefining a built-in function to avoid confusing people who are reading your code. However, it is legal to do.

For example the fd command that moves the turtle forward is not fixed. You could redefine it so that it prints the distance when it moves, like this:

fd = (distance) ->
  write distance
fd 5
fd 20

Instead of moving the turtle forward, this program will write numbers to the screen. That is because fd has been redefined to now be a function that writes text to the screen.

As you can see, you would not normally want to write a program that does this, because it is confusing to anybody who expects to see fd used in the default way.