# YesNt Library API
The `YesNt.Interpreter` project is a .NET 10 class library. You can reference it from any C# project
to embed the YesNt interpreter and run scripts programmatically.
---
## Table of contents
1. [Adding the reference](#adding-the-reference)
2. [Running a script file](#running-a-script-file)
3. [Running an in-memory script](#running-an-in-memory-script)
4. [Capturing output (debug mode)](#capturing-output-debug-mode)
5. [Adding custom statements](#adding-custom-statements)
6. [Removing and disabling built-in statements](#removing-and-disabling-built-in-statements)
7. [Stopping a script](#stopping-a-script)
8. [Reading registered statements](#reading-registered-statements)
9. [API reference](#api-reference)
---
## Adding the reference
### Via NuGet (recommended)
Install the [`YesNt.Interpreter`](https://www.nuget.org/packages/YesNt.Interpreter/) package using one of the following methods.
**.NET CLI:**
```
dotnet add package YesNt.Interpreter
```
**Package Manager Console:**
```
Install-Package YesNt.Interpreter
```
**`.csproj`:**
```xml
```
### Via project reference
If you have cloned the repository and want to reference the source directly, add a project reference in your `.csproj`:
```xml
```
Then add the using directive:
```csharp
using YesNt.Interpreter.Runtime;
```
---
## Running a script file
```csharp
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
interpreter.Execute("path/to/script.ynt");
```
`Execute` is synchronous - it returns when the script finishes (or terminates with an error).
---
## Running an in-memory script
Supply a `List` instead of a file path:
```csharp
var lines = new List
{
"var x = 42",
"print_line The answer is ${x}",
};
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
interpreter.Execute(lines);
```
---
## Capturing output (debug mode)
Pass `isDebugMode: true` to suppress direct console writes. Output is delivered through the
`OnDebugOutput` event instead, and `OnLineExecuted` fires after executed lines.
```csharp
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
var output = new System.Text.StringBuilder();
interpreter.OnDebugOutput += text => output.Append(text);
interpreter.OnLineExecuted += args =>
{
if (args is null)
{
// null means execution reached end-of-file (EOF)
Console.WriteLine("Script reached EOF.");
return;
}
Console.WriteLine($"Line {args.LineNumber}: {args.CurrentLine}");
};
interpreter.Execute(new List { "print_line hello" }, isDebugMode: true);
Console.Write(output);
```
`OnLineExecuted` receives a `DebugEventArgs` with:
| Property | Type | Description |
| -------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `LineNumber` | `int` | 1-based line number |
| `OriginalLine` | `string` | Raw source text |
| `CurrentLine` | `string` | Text after all substitutions |
| `IsTask` | `bool` | `true` if executed inside a background task |
| `TaskId` | `int` | Task identifier (0 for the main thread) |
`OnLineExecuted` is invoked with `null` only when execution reaches end-of-file (EOF).
If execution stops via `exit`, `throw`, `error`, or `Stop()`, no terminal `null` event is emitted.
---
## Adding custom statements
Use `AddStatement` to register keywords before calling `Execute`.
### Simple keyword at the start of a line
```csharp
using YesNt.Interpreter.Enums;
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
interpreter.AddStatement("log", SearchMode.StartOfLine, SpaceAround.End, args =>
{
Console.WriteLine($"[LOG] {args}");
});
interpreter.Execute(new List { "log Hello from custom statement" });
```
### Accessing script state from a handler
Pass an `Action` instead of `Action` to receive the current
script state. `IStatementContext` exposes the variable tables, the current line, the line number,
and the ability to terminate execution.
```csharp
using YesNt.Interpreter.Runtime;
interpreter.AddStatement("set_var", SearchMode.StartOfLine, SpaceAround.End,
(args, ctx) =>
{
// args is e.g. "result 42" — parse however your syntax demands
string[] parts = args.Split(' ', 2);
if (parts.Length == 2)
ctx.Variables[parts[0]] = parts[1];
else
ctx.Exit("set_var requires: ", isError: true);
});
```
`IStatementContext` provides:
| Property | Type | Description |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Variables` | `Dictionary` | Local variable table for the current scope |
| `GlobalVariables` | `Dictionary` | Global variable table shared across all scopes |
| `CurrentLine` | `string` | The line text being processed; write here for inline-substitution handlers |
| `LineNumber` | `int` | Zero-based index of the _next_ line to execute; set to implement jumps |
| `Exit(message, isError)` | `void` | Terminate execution; `isError: true` signals an error condition |
### With a syntax-highlight colour
```csharp
interpreter.AddStatement("log", SearchMode.StartOfLine, SpaceAround.End,
ConsoleColor.Cyan,
args => Console.WriteLine($"[LOG] {args}"));
```
### Using a `StatementAttribute`
```csharp
using YesNt.Interpreter.Attributes;
var attr = new StatementAttribute("log", SearchMode.StartOfLine, SpaceAround.End)
{
Priority = Priority.VeryLow,
};
interpreter.AddStatement(attr, args => Console.WriteLine($"[LOG] {args}"));
```
### `SearchMode` values
| Value | The keyword matches when… |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| `StartOfLine` | the line **starts with** the keyword |
| `EndOfLine` | the line **ends with** the keyword |
| `Contains` | the keyword appears **anywhere** in the line |
| `Exact` | the line is **exactly** the keyword |
### `SpaceAround` values
| Value | Space requirement |
| ---------- | -------------------------------- |
| `None` | No surrounding spaces required |
| `Start` | A space must precede the keyword |
| `End` | A space must follow the keyword |
| `StartEnd` | Spaces required on both sides |
Custom statements run at `Priority.Normal` by default. Statements with a higher-ranking enum member (`PreProcessing` → `Highest` → … → `VeryLow`) run first; `VeryLow` runs last.
Use `StatementAttribute.Priority` to control ordering relative to built-in statements.
---
## Removing and disabling built-in statements
Use these methods to restrict which built-in keywords are available, useful for sandboxing
or replacing a built-in with a custom implementation.
### `RemoveStatement` - permanent removal
Removes all handlers for the given keyword. Any script line that would have matched the
keyword now triggers an **"Invalid statement"** error.
```csharp
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
// Prevent scripts from launching external processes.
interpreter.RemoveStatement("exec");
interpreter.Execute(new List { "exec notepad" });
// Terminates with: Invalid statement
```
### `DisableStatement` - silent no-op
Disables all handlers for the keyword. The keyword still **matches** (so no error is raised),
but has no effect. Use `EnableStatement` to restore the original behaviour.
```csharp
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
// Make sleep a no-op so tests don't actually wait.
interpreter.DisableStatement("sleep");
interpreter.Execute(new List
{
"sleep 10000", // does nothing
"var x = done",
"print_line ${x}", // prints: done
});
```
### `EnableStatement` - restore a disabled statement
Restores the original handlers saved when `DisableStatement` was called.
Has no effect if the statement is not currently disabled.
```csharp
interpreter.DisableStatement("sleep");
// ... configure other things ...
interpreter.EnableStatement("sleep"); // sleep works normally again
```
### Replacing a built-in statement
Call `RemoveStatement` to remove the built-in handlers, then `AddStatement` to install your own.
Simply calling `AddStatement` with the same keyword name will **not** replace the built-in statement,
it will add a second handler that fires alongside the original.
```csharp
// Replace the built-in 'exec' with a sandboxed version that only allows 'echo'.
interpreter.RemoveStatement("exec");
interpreter.AddStatement("exec", SearchMode.StartOfLine, SpaceAround.End, args =>
{
if (args.Trim() != "echo")
throw new InvalidOperationException("exec is restricted");
System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("cmd", "/c echo (sandboxed)");
});
```
---
## Stopping a script
Call `Stop()` from any thread to request graceful termination. The script stops at the next line
boundary (or immediately if it is currently blocked waiting for console input).
```csharp
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
// Start the script on a background thread so we can stop it from this thread.
var task = Task.Run(() =>
interpreter.Execute(new List { "while True:", "sleep 100", "end_while" }));
await Task.Delay(500);
interpreter.Stop(); // signals the script to terminate at the next line boundary
await task;
```
---
## Reading registered statements
`StatementInformation` returns a read-only snapshot of every registered statement.
This is useful for building syntax highlighters or tooling.
```csharp
var interpreter = new YesNtInterpreter();
foreach (var info in interpreter.StatementInformation)
{
Console.WriteLine($"{info.Name,-20} {info.SearchMode,-12} color={info.Color}");
}
```
Each `StatementInformation` object exposes:
| Property | Type | Description |
| -------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- |
| `Name` | `string` | The keyword |
| `SearchMode` | `SearchMode` | Where the keyword is matched |
| `SpaceAround` | `SpaceAround` | Required surrounding spaces |
| `Color` | `ConsoleColor` | Syntax-highlight colour |
| `IgnoreSyntaxHighlighting` | `bool` | Whether to skip highlighting |
| `Separator` | `string?` | Optional required sub-string |
---
## API reference
### `YesNtInterpreter`
```csharp
public class YesNtInterpreter
```
#### Constructor
```csharp
public YesNtInterpreter()
```
Creates a new interpreter instance and registers all built-in statements.
#### Events
```csharp
public event Action OnDebugOutput;
public event Action OnLineExecuted;
public event Action OnWaitingForInput;
```
`OnDebugOutput` and `OnLineExecuted` are only raised in debug mode (`isDebugMode: true`).
`OnLineExecuted` receives `null` only on EOF completion.
`OnWaitingForInput` is raised (in any mode) immediately before the interpreter blocks on
`%read_key`. Use it to call `Stop()` deterministically without relying on `Thread.Sleep`.
#### Methods
```csharp
// Execute a .ynt file
public void Execute(string path, bool isDebugMode = false);
// Execute in-memory lines
public void Execute(List lines, bool isDebugMode = false);
// Register a custom statement (full control)
public void AddStatement(StatementAttribute attribute, Action handler);
public void AddStatement(StatementAttribute attribute, Action handler);
// Register a custom statement (convenience overloads)
public void AddStatement(string name, SearchMode searchMode, SpaceAround spaceAround, Action handler);
public void AddStatement(string name, SearchMode searchMode, SpaceAround spaceAround, Action handler);
public void AddStatement(string name, SearchMode searchMode, SpaceAround spaceAround, ConsoleColor color, Action handler);
public void AddStatement(string name, SearchMode searchMode, SpaceAround spaceAround, ConsoleColor color, Action handler);
// Remove a built-in or custom statement permanently
public void RemoveStatement(string name);
// Disable a statement (silent no-op; reversible)
public void DisableStatement(string name);
// Re-enable a previously disabled statement
public void EnableStatement(string name);
// Request graceful stop
public void Stop();
```
#### Properties
```csharp
// Read-only snapshot of all registered statements
public ReadOnlyCollection StatementInformation { get; }
```
---
### `IStatementContext`
```csharp
public interface IStatementContext // YesNt.Interpreter.Runtime
```
Passed to `Action` handlers registered via `AddStatement`.
Provides access to the script state that a built-in statement handler would have.
| Member | Type | Description |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Variables` | `Dictionary` | Local variable table for the current scope |
| `GlobalVariables` | `Dictionary` | Global variable table shared across all scopes |
| `CurrentLine` | `string` | The line being processed; write here for inline-substitution handlers |
| `LineNumber` | `int` | Zero-based index of the next line to execute; set this to implement jumps |
| `Exit(message, isError)` | `void` | Terminate execution with a message; `isError: true` signals an error |