The Howdy Glossary

Tiny is a statically typed programming language that is procedural, imperative, and structured. Created at the Australian National University as a teaching tool for compiler construction classes, Tiny focuses on simplicity to help learners grasp key concepts without the complexities of larger languages. Its straightforward design makes it an ideal choice for demonstrating program parsing and execution at a machine level, which has led to its popularity in academic settings.

Tiny's main purpose is to provide an easily understandable language for educational use in compiler construction classes. By stripping down advanced features and focusing on fundamental programming principles, Tiny allows students to learn the essentials of building compilers and interpreters from scratch. Its clear syntax and limited feature set make it effective for illustrating basic parsing and execution processes, making it invaluable for understanding the inner workings of programming languages.

In comparison to competitors like Mini-ML, Toy, and Tinyc—which also emphasize simplicity for educational purposes—Tiny stands out due to its widespread adoption in academia. This extensive use underscores its reliability as a teaching tool for fundamental concepts in compiler design. With its minimalistic approach designed specifically to avoid overwhelming beginners, Tiny provides a solid foundation in both programming principles and compiler construction while maintaining accessibility through its clear procedural structure.