How to Program in Brainf**K

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Get a brainf**k compiler.

   You can use compilers on the internet if you can't download one.
2. 2

   Step 2: Get a copy of the ASCII codes.

   Brainf**k converts letters and symbols into their ASCII value, and stores them in this form.
   
   You'll need to be able to look up the values for letters while you are programming. , Imagine a ribbon of paper, divided into squares.
   
   The ribbon is one square wide, but an infinite number of squares long.
   
   In each square, you can put a number.
   
   Now imagine that you have a pointer (e.g. a pencil) that can point to ONE of the squares.
   
   Brainf**k can move the pointer back and forth along the ribbon, change the value in the square that the pointer is pointing to, and go around in loops. , The pointer is pointing to a particular square. < moves the pointer to the square before the current one. > moves it to the square after. , + increments (adds one to) the value of the current square.
   - decrements (subtracts one from) the value of the current square. , A full stop . is the output command.
   
   This reads the number in the current square, then outputs the corresponding ASCII character (this is why you need the ASCII table). , A comma , is the input command.
   
   This will ask you to input a string of characters.
   
   It will take the first character and store it's ASCII value in the current square, overwriting any value already there. , Otherwise, it will continue to the next instruction.
   
   When the program encounters a ], it will skip back to the corresponding [ Loops can be nested (placed one inside the other). , If you understand the instructions above, you should be able to figure out how it works.
   
   It will print Hello World! on the screen.   ++++++++>+>+>->>+<-]>>.>---.+++++++..+++.>>.<-.<.+++.------.--------.>>+.>++. , There are many derivatives of brainf**k.
   
   Some of them add new features.
   
   Others simply replace the instructions with different words.
   
   Ook! is a simple derivative of brainf**k.
   
   It doesn't change any instructions, it just replaces them with ooks.
   
   Here's the translation: < = Ook? Ook.   > = Ook.
   
   Ook?   + = Ook.
   
   Ook.  
   - = Ook! Ook!   . = Ook! Ook.   , = Ook.
   
   Ook!   = Ook? Ook!      Ook! was designed to be read by orangutans (as a joke).
   
   Blub is another simple derivative.
   
   It's exactly the same as Ook!, just swap the word Ook for the word Blub e.g. [ = Blub? Blub!      As Ook! was designed for orangutans, Blub was designed for fish.
3. 3

   Step 3: Understand how brainf**k operates.

4. 4

   Step 4: Understand what < and > do.

5. 5

   Step 5: Understand what + and - do.

6. 6

   Step 6: Understand how brainf**k outputs characters.

7. 7

   Step 7: Understand input.

8. 8

   Step 8: Understand loops.

9. 9

   Step 9: Look at an example program.

10. 10

    Step 10: Get to know the alternatives.

Detailed Guide

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