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RocketLang v0.22.0 is released

· 3 min read

We're excited to announce RocketLang v0.22.0, featuring significant improvements to array handling, better error messages, and the introduction of the rocket-range syntax for loops.

Breaking Changes​

caution

This release includes breaking changes to array method names.

Array Method Renames: .yeet() and .yoink() → .pop() and .push()​

To improve code readability and align with common programming conventions, we've renamed the array manipulation methods:

  • .yoink() is now .pop() - Removes and returns the last element
  • .yeet() is now .push() - Adds an element to the end

Before (v0.21.x and earlier):

a = [1, 2, 3]
a.yeet(4)      // Add element
last = a.yoink() // Remove last element

Now (v0.22.0):

a = [1, 2, 3]
a.push(4)      // Add element
last = a.pop()  // Remove last element

While the old names were fun, the new names are more intuitive for developers familiar with other programming languages.

New Features​

Array .sum() Method​

Calculate the sum of numeric array elements with the new .sum() method:

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
total = numbers.sum()  // Returns 15

mixed = ['1', 2, 2.5]
mixed.sum()  // Returns 5.5 (strings are converted)

The method handles integers, floats, and numeric strings automatically.

Array .join() Method​

Join array elements into a string with an optional separator:

words = ["Hello", "RocketLang", "World"]
words.join()       // Returns "HelloRocketLangWorld"
words.join(" ")    // Returns "Hello RocketLang World"
words.join(", ")   // Returns "Hello, RocketLang, World"

numbers = [1, 2, 3]
numbers.join("-")  // Returns "1-2-3"

Rocket-Range Syntax​

Introduce cleaner range syntax for foreach loops with the new rocket-range operator (->):

// Exclusive range (0 to 4)
foreach i in 0 -> 5
  puts(i)
end

// Inclusive range (0 to 5)
foreach i in 0 => 5
  puts(i)
end

// With stepping using the ^ operator
foreach i in 0 -> 10 ^ 2
  puts(i)  // 0, 2, 4, 6, 8
end

See Foreach for more information.

Improvements​

Enhanced Error Messages​

Error messages now include precise file:line:pos information, making debugging much easier. You'll see exactly where errors occur in your code with accurate line and position information.

Type Conversion Refactoring​

Internal type conversion methods have been refactored for better consistency and reliability across different object types.

Bug Fixes​

break Support in while Loops​

The break statement now works correctly in while loops, contributed by MarkusFreitag in PR #168.

i = 0
while i < 10
  if i == 5
    break
  end
  puts(i)
  i = i + 1
end

Infrastructure Updates​

Go 1.21​

RocketLang now uses Go 1.21, bringing performance improvements and the latest language features.

Check out the full changelog for a complete list of changes and contributors.