Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond!
@Lobo,
Start using D now. It's not all or nothing so you don't have to
give up on C++. I have several projects that contain both C++
and D intermixed.
Using both does seem like a good way to transition. I could
combine the strengths of D with the strengths of c++. I have
never mixed two programming languages in one project, all have
contained one language exclusively. This is another bridge to
cross.
D will make you a better C++ programmer, but especially C++
template programming. D metaprogramming is so easy to read,
write and understand compared to C++ and many of the patterns
still apply when you're standing knee deep in C++it.
I use c++ templates extensively, and if D offers a better
solution that is fantastic.
--------------------------------
@Chris Wright,
Your largest problem in the short term is documentation quality.
This concerns me since it makes it very difficult for people
trying to learn the language. I don't need that additional
frustration.
Your largest problem in the long run will be libraries.
Also concerning, but if I can combine the two languages somehow
as lobo suggested, there may be a solution (just need to figure
out how and how difficult that is).
...but you'd still have to write bindings. htod doesn't exactly
work on Linux.
I am not exactly sure what that means, which is probably not a
good sign.
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@Russel Windmer
But doesn't code::blocks just interface with the compiler? I
(naively?) thought I could just install the compiler and point
code::blocks to that compiler.
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@Bachmeier
What do you plan to do with D?
Good point, I did not make that clear. Right now I just want to
use it for personal projects, but someday I hope to take it
further.
Personally, I don't think there is a reason to transition.
Instead, you should learn D and then use it when you are ready.
That is troubling, but reasons to transition must exist or the
language would not exist, right? I find that if I "learn" a
language I forget it unless I actually start using it, at least
for a short while.
----------------------------------------
January 2016 is when I should have time to experiment with D. I
will attempt to install the language in Linux and kick the tires
for a while. If I continuously stumble into insurmountable
barriers, the experiment will end.
