unicodify

Transcodes unicode source files into valid CoffeeScript/JavaScript.

Might work with other languages too, such as Python (untested).

• Basic principle
• Uses
• Usage
• Install
• Competetion

Basic principle

Transcodes unicode characters in identifiers (object names etc.) into valid JavaScript. Ignores characters within strings. See examples below.

# Input
€ = 10

# Output
_u8364: 10

See the demo for more examples.

Uses

I'm generally more of a 'how' than a 'why' type of guy but I can still think of some situations where this tool might come in handy. They range from the practical to the down right silly.

Native language coding

Code in your native tongue: arabic, chinese etc.

# Arabic
عشوائي = Math.random(10) 		# Wrong direction I suppose...

# Chinese
随机 = Math.random(10)

Brevity

Use unicode characters for brevity/clarity, e.g. to transfer notation from other domains.

Math

# Sum
∑ = 0
for num in series
  ∑ += num

# Angle
φ = 10
x = r cos φ

Units

# Currencies
product.price =
  $: 10
  €: 9.1
  £: 6.7
  ¥: 1209

# Super/subscript
room.dimensions =
  length: 3, width: 3, height: 2
  m²: 9
  m³: 18 

Music

♪ = (note) ->
  play note, 100ms
♩ = (note) ->
  play note, 200ms

♪ 'C'
♪ 'E'
♩ 'G'`

Levity

Coding should be fun!

Runicode

ᛖᚱᚤ = 'ᛒᚤᛘ'

Farmcode

farm =   🐄: 12   🐑: 8   🐓: 1   🐔: 6

Rumicode

# TODO: Add persian poetry...

Please help me expand this section!

Usage

Simple as can be...

unicodify <source> <output>

source (required)

• Unicode encoded source file

output (optional)

• File to be written
• Will echo if unspecified

Install

Even simpler...

npm install -g unicodify

Competition

I propose a competition for the most creative use of this tool. Post your contributions to /r/unicodify and let the up/downvoting begin!