TL;DR
Zuck# is an esoteric, PHP-like programming language presented as a parody of social media practices, with keywords and examples reframing common programming constructs as data-harvesting and corporate tropes. The project is published on GitHub, provides an interpreter and REPL, and includes installation instructions for PHP, Docker, and composer.
What happened
A public project called Zuck# presents a PHP-inspired, tongue-in-cheek programming language that renames standard constructs to reflect social-media and corporate behaviors. The site documents an interpreter, examples (Hello World, FizzBuzz, Congressional Testimony, Dating App Algorithm and more), a REPL, and a debug mode. Control flow, variables, functions, classes, operators and I/O are all remapped with themed keywords and built-in functions that reference data collection and platform dynamics. The project includes installation steps: cloning a GitHub repo, making the binary executable, running examples, and running inside Docker; it lists PHP 8.1+ as a requirement. A roadmap on the site marks the language specification and interpreter as shipped, lists a VS Code extension and AI code completion as coming, and flags other items as acquired or pivoted. The site's tone is satirical and critical of platform practices.
Why it matters
- It uses satire to highlight and critique data-collection and corporate responses inside developer tooling.
- By reworking familiar programming concepts, it can spark discussion about ethics and design choices in software platforms.
- The project is accessible: source, interpreter and containerized examples are available for developers to inspect.
- Roadmap items (extensions, AI completion) suggest the creator intends further tooling and visibility.
Key facts
- Zuck# is described as a PHP-inspired, esoteric programming language.
- Keywords and constructs are renamed to reference social-media themes (examples include terms mapped to data harvesting, pivots, and corporate messaging).
- The site hosts examples such as Hello World, FizzBuzz, Congressional Testimony, Dating App Algorithm, and more.
- Repository is available on GitHub (https://github.com/jayzalowitz/zucksharp) with a bin/zuck executable and examples directory.
- Installation notes list PHP 8.1+ as a requirement and provide commands to clone, make executable, and run the interpreter.
- Docker support and a containerized workflow are documented, including building an image and running examples in containers.
- The project offers a REPL mode and a debug flag for the interpreter.
- A roadmap on the site marks the language spec v1.0 and the interpreter as shipped, while VS Code extension and AI code completion are listed as forthcoming.
What to watch next
- VS Code extension listed as coming on the project's roadmap (SOON).
- AI code completion feature is marked as coming on the roadmap (SOON).
- Composer global installation entry appears in the installation notes and is listed as coming; availability should be checked upstream.
- Wider adoption, real-world usage, or any data-collection behavior beyond satire is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Esoteric programming language: A language created more for experimentation, satire, or artistic expression than for practical software development.
- REPL: Read–Eval–Print Loop; an interactive programming environment that evaluates code as it is entered.
- Interpreter: Software that directly executes instructions written in a programming language, without requiring compilation to machine code.
- Docker: A platform for packaging applications and their dependencies into portable containers to run consistently across environments.
- Roadmap: A public plan or timeline that outlines current status and future development goals for a project.
Reader FAQ
Where can I get Zuck#?
The project repository and installation instructions are available on GitHub at the URL provided on the project site.
Does Zuck# actually collect user data when you run it?
The project uses satirical, data-harvesting themed keywords; any real data-collection behavior is not confirmed in the source.
What are the system requirements to run the interpreter?
The site lists PHP 8.1+ as a requirement and documents Docker-based workflows.
Is Zuck# production-ready?
not confirmed in the source
"Senator, we run ads. Also, we run this programming language now." Z# What is Zuck#? Zuck# is a PHP-inspired esoteric programming language that captures the true essence of moving fast…
Sources
- Zuck#: A programming language for connecting the world. And harvesting it
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)
- Mark Zuckerberg, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive …
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