Newsgroups: comp.lang.dylan
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From: lwv26@cas.org (Larry W. Virden)
Subject: Popularity of a language
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Message-ID: <1995May31.194257.26804@chemabs.uucp>
Sender: lwv26@chemabs.uucp (Larry W. Virden)
Reply-To: lvirden@cas.org
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Date: Wed, 31 May 1995 19:42:57 GMT
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Anyone aware of any apps for Dylan which would be of interest to the
general population?  I note that for Tcl, the 'wish' program which is
built as a standard part of the X windowing extension known as tk turned
Tcl into a 'popular' (ie increasing number of folks needing or wanting
to learn and use) language.  For Java, the HotJava WWW browser appears
to be the hot product which has gotten the attention.  For a language
to become widely used, some program, or particular type of program (in
the case of perl for instance it was system admin programs in general
that seems to have caught on), which triggers the move of a language
from a curiosity to a recognizable force.

Also, has anyone in the dylan arena prepared any kind of comparison between
Dylan and Java?  Certainly Dylan has a head start in terms of length of
time publically available, is available on more platforms, etc.  But
in terms of language features (and NOT in terms of the user interface to
Mindy, etc.) what are the pros and cons?  It appears that Java, having a
byte code interpreter, may find a niche for itself in terms of exchanging
small 'scripts' across the internet.  Dylan, being compiled only, will
not find that as convienent a niche I suspect.
-- 
:s Larry W. Virden                 INET: larry.virden@cas.org
:s In search of a new WWW home...
:s Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, nothing in this posting should 
:s be construed as representing my employer's opinions.
