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Language Reference

This section provides formal documentation of all Graphcal language features.

Overview

Graphcal is a domain-specific language for engineering calculations built around a directed acyclic graph (DAG) of computations. Every .gcl file describes parameters (inputs), nodes (computed values), and constants, connected by explicit references.

The language has a layered type system:

Layer Feature Purpose
1 Primitives Float, Int, Bool base types
2 Dimensions Physical dimension algebra (compile-time types)
3 Units Value-level scaling factors attached to dimensions
4 Algebraic Data Types Structs, union types, pattern matching
5 Indexes Finite label sets for collections
6 DAG Blocks Reusable computation via dag blocks and include

Reference Pages

  • Computation Model

    DAG semantics, param/node/const node, the @-sigil.

    Computation model

  • Type System

    Primitive types: Float, Int, Bool, and conversions.

    Type system

  • Dimensions & Units

    Dimension algebra, unit definitions, conversion, prelude.

    Dimensions & units

  • Algebraic Data Types

    Structs, union types, match expressions, generics.

    ADTs

  • Indexes

    Finite indexes, range indexes, for, scan, unfold.

    Indexes

  • DAG Blocks

    Reusable computation via dag blocks and include.

    DAG Blocks

  • Expressions

    Operators, precedence, if/else, literals.

    Expressions

  • Multi-File Projects

    import declarations, aliasing, circular detection.

    Multi-file

  • Assertions & Attributes

    assert declarations, tolerance checks, #[assumes(...)].

    Assertions

  • Plots

    plot declarations, chart types, interactive visualization.

    Plots

  • Built-in Reference

    Prelude dimensions, units, constants, and functions.

    Built-ins