Statically Typed Smalltalk
Can you imagine a static type system that would allow MOO-like constructions? Would type inference (like in Haskell) help?
The project was called Strongtalk.
[link|http://www.cs.ucsb.edu/projects/strongtalk/pages/index.html|http://www.cs.ucsb.e.../pages/index.html]
"The Strongtalk system was developed in secret in the mid-90's by a small startup company. Before the Strongtalk system could be released, the company was acquired by Sun Microsystems, Inc. to work on the Java\ufffd virtual machine[1]. Development of Strongtalk was halted at that point, so very few people have ever had a chance to see the Strongtalk system in action."
There is some work going on in VM optimization to duplicate this and provide optional static typing. Optional static typing makes optimization much easier and consequently the thing can run faster by taking advantage of more highly optimized routines.
[1] - Fuckers.
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
Statically Typed Smalltalk
Can you imagine a static type system that would allow MOO-like constructions? Would type inference (like in Haskell) help?
The project was called Strongtalk.
[link|http://www.cs.ucsb.edu/projects/strongtalk/pages/index.html|http://www.cs.ucsb.e.../pages/index.html]
"The Strongtalk system was developed in secret in the mid-90's by a small startup company. Before the Strongtalk system could be released, the company was acquired by Sun Microsystems, Inc. to work on the Java® virtual machine[1]. Development of Strongtalk was halted at that point, so very few people have ever had a chance to see the Strongtalk system in action."
There is some work going on in VM optimization to duplicate this and provide optional static typing. Optional static typing makes optimization much easier and consequently the thing can run faster by taking advantage of more highly optimized routines.
[1] - Fuckers.
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
