Computing Atlas

How Computing Was Built
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Programming Language

Racket

Functional Language

Racket is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm programming language based on the Scheme dialect of Lisp. It was designed to be a platform for programming language design and implementation, and features a module system supporting the creation of new, domain-specific languages within the language itself. Racket originated as PLT Scheme, an educational and research variant of Scheme, and was renamed Racket in 2010.

Facts
First Released
1995 2
Paradigm
Multi-paradigm, functional, Lisp dialect 2
Significance
Grew from a teaching dialect of Scheme into a platform for designing new programming languages, with an extensive macro system used to build embedded and domain specific languages. 2
Popularity Band
Top 50 3
Classification
Typing Discipline
Dynamically Typed 1
Typing Discipline
Strongly Typed 1
License
MIT 1
License
Apache License 2.0 1
FAQs

What does it mean that Racket is a language for making languages?

It lets programmers write each module in a well-suited language.

Racket's own site says it is a language for making languages, so that a programmer can write every module in a well-suited language. The idea is that each part of a program can use the language that fits it best, instead of forcing everything into one.
Connections

Built On

Scheme, Programming Languages

Direction correction: Racket began as PLT Scheme, a Scheme implementation, not the reverse.

Follows Typing Discipline

Dynamic Typing, Concepts
Strong Typing, Concepts

In Field

Programming Language Theory, Fields
Source Wikipedia: Racket (programming language)

Invented By

Matthias Felleisen, Pioneers
Source Wikidata: Racket

Licensed Under

Apache License 2.0, Concepts
MIT License, Concepts
Sources
1. Wikidata: Racket
  • Wikidata Q1254148, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Wikidata Q1254148 P7078 (typing discipline)
  • Wikidata P275 license claim
  • Invented By: Matthias Felleisen, Wikidata Q1254148 P178 (developer) claim -> Q6791540 (Matthias Felleisen); computing atlas pioneer entity 318797, checked 2026-09-28
View the Source
2. Wikipedia: Racket (programming language)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • History section
    In January 1995, the group decided to develop a pedagogic programming environment based on Scheme.
  • In Field: Programming Language Theory, Lead
    Racket is a general-purpose, multi-paradigm programming language.
View the Source
3. Programming Language Database (PLDB): Racket
Programming Language Database (PLDB)Rank line
Quote, Rank line
#42 on PLDB
View the Source
Wikipedia: Lisp (programming language)
Wikimedia FoundationIn Group: Lisp Dialects, lead names Racket among the best-known general-purpose Lisp dialects todayView the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.