Learning roadmap

Learning roadmapPractice in Coding Class →

Start by building a small program, then learn to control its behavior where you need to. If you are new to programming, follow the basic path in order. Every page links to a Coding Class with exercises, program projects, and debugging tasks.

Basics · Build a program with default behavior

Use variables, functions, conditions, and loops before choosing reference annotations or optimization settings. The goal is a working file tool with error handling and tests.

Step	Chapter	What you can do
1	Installing Xen	Run the compiler on your computer
2	Your first program	Print, check, and build
3	Variables and values	Name, change, and calculate values
4	Data types and conversions	Choose types and convert numbers
5	Functions and control flow	Choose paths and repeat work
6	Strings and collections	Store and process multiple values
7	Structs and enums	Group data and distinguish states
8	Missing values and errors	Handle failures as values
9	Working with multiple files	Split a program into modules
10	Count words in a file	Connect arguments, files, and error handling
11	Testing your code	Check ordinary inputs and boundaries

fn main() {
    let greeting = "Hello, Xen!";
    println(greeting);
}

Begin with this much. Xen produces static Linux executables; these pages target v0.1.0-demo.3. Install Xen, then run your first program.

Advanced · Take control starting with scope modes

Scope modes mark the boundary between the basic and advanced paths. Continue when you can understand and test the basic program. Decide whether you need an independent copy, access to the original, or ownership transfer, then enable the required features in the appropriate scope.

Step	Chapter	What you control
12	Scope modes	Function/block explc and block opt boundaries
13	Copies, moves, and references	Independent copies, borrowing, and ownership transfer
14	Generics and type inference	Type arguments and reusable code shapes
15	Slices and iterators	Temporary views, lazy transformations, and consumption
16	Box and recursive data	Ownership of recursive links and termination

explc enables explicit references; opt marks blocks for optimization. Learn each feature together with its restrictions. For raw memory, atomics, external calls, syscalls, and assembly, see Low-level operations in bb.

Read, build, and check

Coding Class has a companion for every Learn page, including this overview. Implement the requirements first, then use hints and completion criteria to check your work. Look up precise rules in Reference and complete source and output in Examples.

Syntax and APIs may change. Linux x86-64 is supported; AArch64 is experimental. See support and limitations.