Frequently asked questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about the APL Forge, including who can take part, what you can submit, how entries are judged, and what you could win. If you can’t find the information you need here, please get in touch with us at forge@dyalog.com.
What is the APL Forge?
The APL Forge is an annual competition with a £2,500 prize and an expenses-paid trip to present your work at the next Dyalog user meeting.
There are two categories: one for projects built in APL, and one for tools, content, or resources that support the use or learning of APL. A proof of concept is enough to enter.
Do I need to know APL to enter?
Not necessarily. The non-APL category is open to anyone building something that supports the use or learning of APL, without writing any APL at all.
If you want to enter the APL category, a free Dyalog licence and our learning resources are enough to get started. The 2026 APL category winner had been writing APL for less than a year before entering.Why does Dyalog run the APL Forge?
The APL Forge was created to encourage more people to build useful things with APL, and to support projects that make APL easier to use, learn, or integrate with other technologies.
We also want to give people a reason to try APL, experiment with new ideas, and turn side projects or proofs of concept into something that could benefit the wider APL community.
The competition is deliberately open to both experienced APL developers and newcomers, because good ideas can come from anywhere.
What help is available if I get stuck?
If you’re new to APL or need help with your project, there are tutorials, samples, and other learning resources available.
You can also ask questions in the APL community:
- APL Orchard – a long-running Stack Exchange chat room where APL users can ask questions and get help. You can also find out more about the APL Orchard.
- APL Farm – another community space for discussing APL and related array languages. You can join via Discord or Matrix, or find out more about the APL Farm.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can also contact us at forge@dyalog.com and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Who can participate in the APL Forge?
Anyone who is 16 or older, registered for a free Dyalog licence, and not a Dyalog employee or contractor can participate.
There is no restriction on nationality or location.
Can I enter as part of a team or company?
Yes. You can enter as an individual, as part of a group, or on behalf of a company, provided that the eligibility requirements are met.
Do I have to attend the Dyalog user meeting if I win?
Yes. Winners must be willing and able to attend the next Dyalog user meeting and present their winning submission. Giving this presentation is a requirement to be selected as a winner. Expenses associated with attending the user meeting are covered as part of the prize.
Can I enter if I've won before?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times you can win the APL Forge.
If you submit an extension or new module to a previous winning submission, you will not be eligible for an additional commercial licence, although you can still win the cash prize and expenses-paid trip.
What types of projects can be submitted?
Submissions fall into one of two categories.
- APL category – covers submissions where the core logic is written in Dyalog APL. This could include libraries, tools, applications, games, or anything else useful.
- non-APL category – covers things that support the use or learning of APL without being written primarily in APL. This could include tutorials, plugins, language bridges, online tools, websites, books, video series, and more.
Within either category, your submission can be open source or proprietary. You keep all rights to your work.
Does my submission have to be finished?
No. A minimum viable product – something that works and demonstrates the idea clearly – is a valid entry.
The judges are not expecting a polished, production-ready release.
Can I submit something I have already been working on?
Yes. You can submit something that you created in the past, as long as it hasn’t already been commercially licensed through Dyalog.
Does my submission have to be open source?
No. Submissions can be open source or proprietary.
The judging panel works under a non-disclosure agreement, so you can submit proprietary code while keeping your rights intact.
Can I use other programming languages alongside APL?
Yes. For the APL category, the core logic of the submission must be written in Dyalog APL, but other programming languages and technologies can be included where appropriate.
Can I use AI tools in my submission?
Yes. There are no restrictions on using AI tools when creating your submission. You can use AI for code generation, debugging, documentation, research, design, or anything else that helps you build your project.
What we judge is the end result: does it work, is it useful, and does it solve a real problem? A well-functioning, well-documented submission built with AI assistance is judged in the same way as one written entirely by hand.
If AI tools played a significant role in your submission, please mention this in your documentation. This will not count against your submission during judging. We are just interested in how these tools are being used!
What are the submission requirements?
Your submission needs to include documentation that is clear enough for the judges to understand the problem you are solving, how your submission works, and how to use it.
Remember that the judges are APL experts but not necessarily specialists in your particular field, so explain the context clearly.
Submissions can be made as a link to a GitHub repository or by sending files through SFTP. See the Submissions page for full details.
Can I submit more than one project?
Yes. You can submit multiple projects to the APL Forge, provided that each submission meets the eligibility requirements.
Can I submit an entry from a previous APL Forge again?
Yes. If a submission did not win, you can submit it again in a future APL Forge round.
A submission that has already won cannot win again. However, if you significantly extend a previous winning submission or create a new module for it, that new work can be submitted separately.
What if I'm not sure my idea qualifies?
Ask us. Email forge@dyalog.com with a brief description of what you’re thinking, and we’ll tell you whether it’s a good fit.
We’d much rather answer a question upfront than have a good submission not make it in.
When does the round open and close?
The APL Forge runs annually. Opening and closing dates for the current round are published on the APL Forge website.
You can also sign up for updates to receive competition news and announcements.
How will my submission be judged?
The judges are looking for submissions that are useful and solve real problems.
For submissions in the APL category, the judges consider:
- Does it work? A well-documented proof of concept that does what it claims is more valuable than an ambitious project that doesn’t run.
- Documentation – is it clear enough for the judges to understand the problem, why it matters, and how to use the solution?
- Applicability – how many people could benefit from it? Niche projects are welcome; broader applicability is also considered.
- Code quality – clear, well-structured APL code is valued. You don’t need years of APL experience; readable and functional code counts.
For submissions in the non-APL category, the judges consider:
- Does it work and is it useful? Does the submission meaningfully improve the APL experience for learners, practitioners, or the wider community?
- Documentation – is there enough information for the judges to understand and evaluate what you’ve created?
- Reach – how many people could benefit from it?
Do the judges need to understand the subject area of my project?
The judging panel consists of APL experts, but they might not be experts in the particular field or industry that your project addresses.
If your submission solves a problem in a specific domain – finance, biology, engineering, or anything else – make sure your documentation explains the problem clearly enough for a non-specialist to understand why it matters.
What are the prizes?
Each winner receives:
- £2,500
- An expenses-paid trip to present their work at Dyalog’s user meeting
- A Dyalog commercial licence, valid for one year
- Support from the Dyalog team to help develop the submission further, if wanted
How is participant data handled?
We only collect the information needed to run the competition.
Your personal data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and is not shared with third parties outside the judging panel.
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Libraries, applications, tools, and games where the core logic is written in Dyalog APL. A working proof of concept is a valid entry.
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Plugins, language bridges, websites, books, video series, and tutorials. Anything that makes APL easier to use or learn, without being written in APL.