Soplang Variables

Soplang supports dynamic variables, explicitly typed variables, and constants. The declaration determines whether the variable can change type or be reassigned.

Dynamic Variables – door

Use door to declare a dynamically typed variable. Its name is associated with the Somali word doorsoome (variable).

dynamic_variables.sop

door magaca = "Aamina"
door da = 19
door xaqiiqo = run

A variable declared with door can hold a value of any type, including a different type after reassignment:

door x = 10
x = "hadda waa qoraal"   // Allowed: a dynamic variable can change type
qor(x)

Declare Once

A name can be declared only once in its scope, including inside a block such as haddii or intay. To update the value, write magac = qiime without repeating door.

door a = 1
a = 2          // Valid reassignment
door a = 3     // Khalad nooc: Magaca 'a' mar hore ayaa la qeexay [E020]

Static Variables

Static variables have an explicit type annotation. The compiler and runtime enforce that type on assignments.

Type Checking

A typed variable keeps its declared type. The analyzer rejects mismatches it can detect before execution; assignments from dynamic values are checked at runtime. A rejected assignment preserves the previous value. An integral floating-point value can be converted to abn, but a fractional value is rejected.

abn tirada = 10
tirada = 20            // Valid: the value is still abn
tirada = "labaatan"    // Khalad nooc: 'tirada' waa abn laakin qiimaheeda 'qoraal' ma ahan abn [E022]

To require explicit variable types, run soplang --strict file.sop. Strict mode rejects door declarations. See CLI & REPL.

Constants – madoor

Use madoor to prevent reassignment. Its name is associated with madoorsoome. A list or object held by a constant can still be changed through mutating methods; the constant does not deeply freeze its contents.

constants_basic.sop

madoor magaca = "Soplang"

Reassigning a constant produces an error:

constants_reassign_error.sop

madoor luqad = "Somali"
luqad = "English"  // Khalad nooc: Ma bedeli kartid qiimaha doorsamaha madoor 'luqad' [E020]

Combine madoor with a static type to check the value's type as well:

constants_typed.sop

madoor abn SANAD = 2025
madoor PI = 3.14159
qor(SANAD)