Tea keeps the surface syntax small. Most files are built from a few recurring pieces: bindings, blocks that end with `end`, control flow, and strings with backtick interpolation.
This page focuses on how code is written, not on the full type system. If you are learning the language, these are the forms you will see first in everyday Tea programs.
## Bindings, blocks, and `if`
Local values use `const` and `var`. Control-flow blocks start with a keyword such as `if` and always close with `end`.
```tea
const is_debug = true
var label = "tea"
if is_debug
label = "tea (debug)"
else
label = "tea"
end
const mode = if(is_debug) "verbose" else "normal"
@println(label)
@println(mode)
```
## Loops
Tea supports both `while` loops for condition-driven repetition and `for ... in ...` loops for iterating collections.
```tea
var count = 0
while count < 3
@println(count)
count = count + 1
end
const names = ["tea", "chai"]
for name in names
@println(name)
end
```
When iterating dictionaries, you can bind both the key and value directly in the loop header.
```tea
const scores = {"tea": 10, "chai": 8}
for name, score in scores
@println(`${name}: ${score}`)
end
```
## Strings and interpolation
Use double quotes for ordinary strings and backticks when you want interpolation. Expressions inside a backtick string use {"${...}"} placeholders.
```tea
var name = "Tea"
var version = 1
@println(`${name} v${version}`)
```
- Blocks end with `end`.
- Use `const` for stable bindings and `var` for values you reassign.
- `if(expr) a else b` is supported as an expression.
- `while` and `for ... in ...` cover the core looping syntax.
-
Backticks enable string interpolation with
{"${...}"}{" "}
placeholders.