Nova is a simple, educational, compiled programming language designed to teach beginners and students the fundamentals of programming and compilers. Its clean and intuitive syntax allows learners to focus on the logic of programming and the mechanics of compilation without unnecessary complexity.

The official Supernova Compiler is a C++11 implementation that parses, compiles, and executes Nova source files (.nv), bridging the gap between beginner-friendly syntax and real-world compilation.

• Compiled language — Nova is executed via the Supernova Compiler.
• Beginner-friendly syntax — simple, intuitive, and readable.
• Core data types: num, string, bool, float, char.
• Control structures: if, while, and function support.
• Optional parameters: Functions can define parameters with default values.
• Cross-platform support: Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• Educational focus: teaches compiler concepts in a hands-on way.

x:num = 10
name:string = "Alice"
is_active:bool = true
pi:float = 3.14
grade:char = 'A'

show "Hello, Nova"
show x

counter:num = 0
while counter < 3 start
    show counter
    counter = counter + 1
end

fun:num add a:num b:num start
    return a + b
end

result:num = add a:3 b:4
show result

// Function with optional parameter
fun:num multiply a:num b:num c:num = 1 start
    return a * b * c
end

show multiply a:2 b:3          // c defaults to 1 (result: 6)
show multiply a:2 b:3 c:4      // c is 4 (result: 24)

• Git — to clone the repository.
• C++11 Compiler — g++ or clang.

git clone https://github.com/akram-dris/nova_lang.git
cd nova_lang
chmod +x build.sh
./build.sh

The supernova executable will be available in the build/ directory.

1. Install MinGW-w64 (or another C++ compiler). Ensure g++ is in your PATH.
2. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/akram-dris/nova_lang.git
cd nova_lang

3. Build manually:

mkdir build
g++ src/main.cpp src/lexer.cpp src/parser.cpp -o build/supernova -std=c++11

Or run the build script via Git Bash:

./build.sh

Compile and run Nova programs with the Supernova Compiler:

./build/supernova my_program.nv

If a runtime error occurs, Supernova reports it clearly:

Runtime Error: Division by zero.

3
10
7
10
14
4
9
Nova
Hello, Nova
hello world
y is 10
y is not 10
x is not greater than y
7
1
Hello, Nova
2 >= 2 is true
1 <= 2 is true
hello
true
is_active is true
false
3.14
6.28
A
J
12.8
6.5
10
4
5
Pi is greater than 3.0
Runtime Error: Division by zero.

export PATH="/absolute/path/to/nova_lang/build:$PATH"
source ~/.bashrc

1. Find the nova_lang\build folder path.
2. Add it to Environment Variables → Path.
3. Open a new terminal and type:

supernova

You should see the compiler usage instructions.

nova_lang/
├── src/             # Source files for Supernova Compiler
│   ├── main.cpp
│   ├── lexer.cpp
│   ├── parser.cpp
│   └── ...
├── build/           # Compiled Supernova executable
├── examples/        # Sample Nova programs
├── build.sh         # Build script
└── README.md