Claro/docs/SYNTAX.md

Claro's beginner syntax

Learn one spelling for each action. Use these same forms in the Quick Start, First Hour, numbered lessons, and introductory examples.

• Show text: SAY "Hello!"
• Ask for input: ASK "What is your name?" name
• Store a value: SET score 0
• Change a value: SET score score + 1
• Make a list: SET items LIST
• Add an item: ADD "milk" TO items
• Make a choice: IF condition, optional ELSE, then END.
• Repeat a fixed number of times: DO 3 TIMES, then END.
• Visit list items: FOR EACH item IN items, then END.
• Define an action: TEACH greet name, then END.
• Run an action: DO greet "Ada".
• Return an answer from an action: RETURN value; read it as RESULT after DO.
• Save text: WRITE FILE "note.txt" WITH "Hello".
• Read text: READ FILE "note.txt" AS note.

Small rules

1. Put one command on each line. Write keywords in uppercase in lessons to make them easy to spot; the interpreter also accepts lowercase keywords.
2. Put literal text in double quotes. Do not quote a variable when you want its value.
3. Use a simple name such as score, name, or items consistently.
4. Indent the body of a choice, loop, or action by four spaces for readability.
5. Close introductory IF, DO ... TIMES, FOR, and TEACH blocks with END.
6. Separate function parameters and simple call arguments with spaces.

AS is still part of commands that name a result, such as READ FILE. TO is still part of ADD item TO list. The short forms above do not mean removing those words from every command.

The optional REPEAT loop finishes with UNTIL condition, not END; learn it after the introductory loops. Other advanced commands are outside this first learning path.

Follow First Hour for complete programs and the numbered lessons for practice. Older spellings still run; compatibility syntax is only needed when reading older programs.