BrainF++

The ridiculously minimalist programming language

BrainF++ is like programming with your hands tied behind your back... and blindfolded... while riding a unicycle. With only 8 commands, it's somehow Turing complete and can theoretically run anything your fancy modern languages can. It's the programming equivalent of making a gourmet meal with just a spoon.

Try online editor Learn the commands

Original BrainF: only eight commands

Move pointer right (baby steps)

Move pointer left (oops, went too far)

Increment cell value (counting up!)

Decrement cell value (counting down!)

Output cell value as ASCII (ta-da!)

Input ASCII to cell (feed me!)

[

Jump forward if cell is zero (maybe skip?)

]

Jump back if cell is non-zero (let's loop!)

The ++ part: functions!

Function system

BrainF++ supports the advanced, modern and forward-looking concept of functions for code organization and reuse.

Function declaration

Functions are declared with curly braces. The syntax is {mn code here} where the two-letter function name immediately follows the opening brace.

{ab}+++.}// Function named "ab"

Main function

Execution always begins in the main function {mn}. Code outside of any function is ignored and does not execute.

{mn}+++.}// Main function - this runs

Function calls

To call a function, use parentheses with the two-letter function name: (ab). The current cell value is passed as input, and the return value replaces the current cell.

{ab}+++;}
{mn}++(ab).}// Calls function "ab"

Return values

Use the semicolon ; command to return a value from a function. The current cell value is returned and replaces the cell value at the call site.

{ab}++++++;}// Returns 6

How to write "Hello World!"

Your first masterpiece

This program outputs "Hello World!" and will make you question your life choices

++++++++++[>+++++++>++++++++++>+++>+<<<<-]
>++.>+.+++++++..+++.>++.
<<+++++++++++++++.>.>+.+++.------.--------.>+.>+.

What's happening here? (Spoiler: it's complicated)

++++++++++ - Count to 10 (we're off to a great start!)

[>+++++++>++++++++++>+++>+<<<<-] - The magic loop that sets up our ASCII values (don't ask how long this took to figure out)

>++. - Move right, add 2, output 'H' (we did it!)

>+. - Move right, add 1, output 'e' (getting the hang of this)

+++++++. - Add 7, output 'l' (math is hard)

. - Output another 'l' (copy-paste doesn't exist here)

+++. - Add 3, output 'o' (almost there!)

...and the rest is just more ASCII arithmetic wizardry ✨

The secret sauce: We're basically doing manual ASCII math because apparently using a string literal is for weaklings. Each character requires calculating its exact ASCII value through addition and subtraction. It's like solving a puzzle where the reward is... well, "Hello World!"

Live BrainF++ playground

BrainF++ code:

{mn++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.}

Input (for ,: next unicode char; no more input → 0):

Output:

Run your code to see output here...

Join the madness: BrainF++ contest

Think you've mastered the art of programming with 8 commands? Put your skills to the test in our monthly BrainF++ coding contests! Compete against fellow masochists... err, enthusiasts... to solve algorithmic challenges using nothing but the magnificent eight. Warning: side effects may include questioning your career choices and an inexplicable urge to write everything in BrainF++.

The origin story

Back in 1993, Urban Müller looked at programming languages and thought "You know what? These have way too many features." So he created BrainF++, a language so minimal it makes assembly look verbose. It's proof that you can make programmers cry with just 8 characters. Despite being designed as a challenge to create the smallest possible compiler, it accidentally became a rite of passage for masochistic programmers everywhere. 🧠💀