The Howdy Glossary

Pict is a general-purpose programming language created by developers at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, led by Gavin Bierman and Matthew Parkinson, to support value-passing message semantics, particularly for building distributed systems. It emphasizes describing complex systems and offers tools for formally verifying these descriptions using theorem provers such as PVS or Isabelle/HOL. This focus on formal verification alongside distributed system capabilities makes Pict distinct in its category.

Among its competitors are languages like Erlang, Rust, and F#, which also offer features for concurrent programming and provide tools for formal verification. However, Pict differentiates itself through its explicit support for value-passing message semantics and tight integration with theorem provers. In contrast, Erlang is renowned for fault tolerance and scalability; Rust prioritizes memory safety and performance; while F# merges functional with object-oriented programming paradigms.

Pict's unique advantages include simplifying the development of concurrent systems through value-passing message semantics and enhancing inter-component communication within distributed environments. It aims at developers who need to build reliable software that requires rigorous correctness guarantees. By providing specialized tools tailored to these needs, including formal verification capabilities via theorem provers like PVS or Isabelle/HOL, Pict supports projects where reliability and correct communication in distributed systems are crucial concerns.