Kay's thinking
I've seen him say something to the effect, because he thinks people have largely missed the point. Its not so much that there are classes and objects, but that there is a messaging system and every object may be thought of as a server. This is markedly different from the function calling behavior of the so-called "normal" (which are actually rather abnormal from my point of view) languages.
Strong static typing, ugly algolish syntax, lack of decent garbage collection in many cases, makes for a poor cousin to true OO languages.
Smalltalk is dangerous. It is a drug. My advice to you would be don't try it; it could ruin your life. Once you take the time to learn it (to REALLY learn it) you will see that there is nothing out there (yet) to touch it. Of course, like all drugs, how dangerous it is depends on your character. It may be that once you've got to this stage you'll find it difficult (if not impossible) to "go back" to other languages and, if you are forced to, you might become an embittered character constantly muttering ascerbic comments under your breath. Who knows, you may even have to quit the software industry altogether because nothing else lives up to your new expectations.
--AndyBower
Kay's thinking
I've seen him say something to the effect, because he thinks people have largely missed the point. Its not so much that there are classes and objects, but that there is a messaging system and every object may be thought of as a server. This is markedly different from the function calling behavior of the so-called "normal" (which are actually rather abnormal from my point of view) languages.
Strong static typing, ugly algolish syntax, lack of decent garbage collection in many cases, makes for a poor cousin to true OO languages.
Smalltalk is dangerous. It is a drug. My advice to you would be don't try it; it could ruin your life. Once you take the time to learn it (to REALLY learn it) you will see that there is nothing out there (yet) to touch it. Of course, like all drugs, how dangerous it is depends on your character. It may be that once you've got to this stage you'll find it difficult (if not impossible) to "go back" to other languages and, if you are forced to, you might become an embittered character constantly muttering ascerbic comments under your breath. Who knows, you may even have to quit the software industry altogether because nothing else lives up to your new expectations.
--AndyBower
