[chuck-users] chuck-1.5.1.0 (chai) released

[Ge Wang]

Dear all,

chuck-1.5.1.0 (chai) has been released:
     https://chuck.stanford.edu/release/

WebChuck & IDE have also been updated to 1.5.1.0:
     https://chuck.stanford.edu/webchuck/
     https://chuck.stanford.edu/ide/

what's new? (full release notes)
     https://chuck.stanford.edu/release/VERSIONS

===============
Some highlights
===============
This release (1.5.1.0) updates a long-standing policy regarding 
`return`statements in function declarations (see below); added 
@array.sort(); added new command-line option (--pid-file), useful for 
process monitoring in long-running installations; general bug fixes and 
stability improvements.

---
NEW: the chuck compiler now rejects non-void function definitions in 
which not all control paths return a value, and will print a compiler 
error in the form of:

   "error: not all control paths in 'fun int f()' return a value"

RATIONALE: while *** this may break some existing code (apologies!) *** 
that assumed the previous return semantics (or forgot to return a value 
or accidentally declared a function as returning something when it 
should return `void`), we believe this change will be more beneficial in 
the long term and will lead to clearer, more intentional code.

---
FYI much has been added recently between 1.5.0.0 and 1.5.1.0:
   * new for-each loop syntax for iterating through arrays (1.5.0.8)
   * enhanced and more accurate compiler error reporting; now
     highlights code and pinpointing error location in code (1.5.0.5)
   * detection and reporting for out-of-order dependencies (1.5.0.8)
     ...the cause of much mysterious behavior and crashing previously
   * color terminal support for CLI chuck (1.5.0.5)
   * expanded class library support in IO, random number generation,
     Machine.eval(), chugins management, and array
   * new features in CLI chuck, miniAudicle, WebChucK & IDE
   * (developer) streamlined c++ integration for those wishing to
     incorporate ChucK core into other c++ hosts (1.5.0.7)
     https://github.com/ccrma/chuck/tree/main/src/host-examples

Our work is never done. Here's to supporting research, teaching, and 
art-making.

Keep on ChucKin'
ChucK Team
=====================================
Join us on Discord!
https://chuck.stanford.edu/community/
=====================================

~~~
Ge Wang
Associate Professor
Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA)
Department of Music (also Computer Science, by Courtesy)
Stanford University
https://ccrma.stanford.edu/~ge/
~
Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime!
-- what we make, makes us --
https://artful.design/
~~~