If you are running a unix system type "erl" or, if you are running on windows start Erlang by clicking on the Erlang start icon. You should see something like this:

The ">" prompt means the system is waiting for input. Using Erlang as a calculator

Remember to terminate every expression with a DOT followed by a newline!

Previous expressions can be retrieved and edited using simple emacs line editing commands. The most common of these are:

• ^P fetch the previous line.
• ^N fetch the next line.
• ^A Go to the beginning of the current line.
• ^E Go to the end of the current line.
• ^D Delete the character under the cursor.
• ^F Go forward by one character.
• ^B Go Back by one character.
• Return Evaluate the current command.

Note: ^X means press Control + X

Try typing Control+P to see what happens.

Type the following into a file using your favorite text editor:

Save the file as test.erl The file name must be the same as the module name.

Compile the program by typing c(test) then run it:

Now go and write some games!

• Learn you some erlang (External)
• Getting started in the documentation
• Warp me to the documentation - I want to read it all