Newsgroups: comp.lang.dylan
Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!das-news2.harvard.edu!news2.near.net!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uunet!sytex!smcl
From: smcl@sytex.com (Scott McLoughlin)
Subject: Re: Mac Dylan
Message-ID: <gXiiXc1w165w@sytex.com>
Sender: bbs@sytex.com
Organization: Sytex Access Ltd.
References: <ppotts-1712941829020001@198.11.57.140>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 04:42:27 GMT
Lines: 41

ppotts@frymulti.com (Paul R. Potts) writes:

> 
> I'm a software developer who has become somewhat disillusioned with
> C++, and who now believes that the reasons that engendered its development
> may no longer apply in such force. I don't believe that in the future
> there will be much reason for preferring to do application development
> in static languages, when dynamic languages can so much streamline the
> development process. Apple's Dylan environment to me represents a proof
> of concept of this whole premise. I was able to buy my way into the
Howdy,
        I have had various experiences which make me believe the
same thing. I don't think C is a _bad_ language. In fact, it's
damn good at what it was "designed" for. C++ is, in many ways,
even better at doing some of the same or similar jobs. But it's
popularity caught the general OO wave even though it's not the
right language for _most_ folks for _most_ tasks.
        There is definitely a big gaping hole between C/C++ and
dumbed down languages like BASIC.  I hope that this whole can be
filled by something like Lisp or Dylan. In the Lisp world, the
vendors that are left and some new ones are starting to advertise,
drop prices, drop licensing fees, put some effort into DOS and
Windows ports, and generally get Lisp out of the high price
govt/research/unix ghetto (perhaps a nice ghetto, but it 
doesn't do me any good or any other folks introduced to Lisp
then tossed into the commercial marketplace).
        It's really to sad that there _are_ some high
quality dynamic language implementations -- both big and 
industrial strenth and small and light weight -- but they
are all married to UNIX ! Drives me crazy. The few DOS
ports (SCM, Caml Light, CLISP) are nice but don't support
Windows which is what the market wants. DRIVES ME CRAZY!
        Dylan is a step in the right direction if only 
because they are aiming a dynamic language at commercial
developers for mass market machines: WHAT A NOVEL IDEA!
        I wish them luck.

=============================================
Scott McLoughlin
Conscious Computing
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