On 15 June 2014 21:28, Peter Alexander via Digitalmars-d <digitalmars-d@puremagic.com> wrote: > http://c0de517e.blogspot.ca/2014/06/where-is-my-c-replacement.html?m=1 > > The arguments against D are pretty weak if I'm honest, but I think it's > important we understand what people think of D. I can confirm this sentiment > is fairly common in the industry. > > Watch out for the little jab at Andrei :-P
He was basically turned off by the GC, just like most people I introduce D to. If he could replace it with ARC I bet he would switch immediately. $100 says he already uses ref counting extensively, and would love for the compiler to eliminate all that boilerplate! I predict, AAA gamedev will switch to D the same day that: 1) ARC is an option 2) LDC can produce fully working, MSC compatible Win64 COFF + CV8/PDB debug output *** this is the single biggest thing holding D back in my opinion *** It's also a significant roadblock for many that Android + iOS still aren't working (gamedev's don't care so much about the OS API's, but the compiler must produce working code for all language features). I've said from the start, and his blog clearly reflects my opinion, that D is the language gamedev's are waiting for. It's _so_ close, but just needs some deliberate care by the core devs to get it across the line. >From my time here, I think one of the most significant problems is lack of gamedev contributors. And I think there is a simple reason for this, which I can draw from my own experience; gamedev's largely are NOT accustomed to open source workflow or even OSS thinking in principle. Gamedev is strictly a proprietary, and usually very closed and tightly controlled industry, and it's not within most gamedev's daily operating discipline to think in the way that would lead them to become D language contributors. So, that might lead many in this community to say "what a bunch of dicks! fuck 'em!", and that might be fair, but I think it's also frequently underestimated just how big the industry is. Gamedev is _gigantic_, and if D were to secure a win in gamedev, I think that would firmly secure it as a relevant modern language, and kick it off for adoption by everyone else. Facebook pushing D is awesome, but facebook is just one company, and their competitors (google?) are likely to shun their commitment to D in principle, particularly since they have their own competing solutions. Gamedev is also a very 'trendy' industry... all it would take is for one significant company to flirt with D and do a talk at GDC about it. Practically everyone would jump on the wagon overnight, I've seen the pattern over and over. I'm sure I'm biased, but when considering potential for large scale adoption by key industries, I think gamedev is the easiest sell (by far!), and also the closest to the goal. All it would take is a deliberate focus by the mainly non-gamedev contributors to get it across the line, and it could probably be done in a matter of weeks if it were made a priority...