petcarescript/docs/syntax-guide.md

PetCareScript - A modern, expressive programming language designed for humans

# PetCareScript Syntax Guide

## Keywords

PetCareScript uses unique keywords that make it different from other languages:

### Variable Declaration
- `store` - instead of `let`/`var`

### Control Flow
- `when` - instead of `if`
- `otherwise` - instead of `else`
- `repeat` - instead of `while`
- `loop` - instead of `for`

### Functions and Classes
- `build` - instead of `function`
- `give` - instead of `return`
- `blueprint` - instead of `class`
- `self` - instead of `this`
- `parent` - instead of `super`

### Logical Operators
- `also` - instead of `&&`/`and`
- `either` - instead of `||`/`or`

### Literals
- `yes` - instead of `true`
- `no` - instead of `false`
- `empty` - instead of `null`

### I/O
- `show` - instead of `print`/`console.log`

### Error Handling
- `attempt` - instead of `try`
- `catch` - catch errors
- `finally` - finally block
- `throw` - throw errors

### Flow Control
- `break` - break from loops
- `continue` - continue to next iteration

## Examples

### Complete Program Example
```pcs
// Calculator blueprint
blueprint Calculator {
    init() {
        self.result = 0;
    }
    
    add(a, b) {
        self.result = a + b;
        give self.result;
    }
    
    divide(a, b) {
        when (b == 0) {
            throw "Division by zero!";
        }
        self.result = a / b;
        give self.result;
    }
    
    getResult() {
        give self.result;
    }
}

// Main program
build main() {
    store calc = Calculator();
    
    attempt {
        store sum = calc.add(10, 5);
        show "Sum: " + sum;
        
        store division = calc.divide(10, 2);
        show "Division: " + division;
        
        // This will throw an error
        calc.divide(10, 0);
    } catch (error) {
        show "Error: " + error;
    } finally {
        show "Calculation complete";
    }
}

main();
```

### Array Processing
```pcs
build processArray(arr) {
    store result = [];
    
    loop (store i = 0; i < size(arr); i = i + 1) {
        store item = arr[i];
        
        when (typeOf(item) == "number") {
            when (item > 0) {
                push(result, item * 2);
            }
        }
    }
    
    give result;
}

store numbers = [1, -2, 3, -4, 5];
store doubled = processArray(numbers);
show "Doubled positive numbers: " + join(doubled, ", ");
```

### Object Manipulation
```pcs
build createPerson(name, age, city) {
    give {
        name: name,
        age: age,
        city: city,
        greet: build() {
            give "Hello, I'm " + self.name;
        }
    };
}

store person = createPerson("Alice", 25, "Boston");
show person.greet();
```