On 10 November 2010 16:08, Vince O'Sullivan <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Nov 10, 3:56 pm, Kevin Wright <[email protected]> wrote: > > > StackOverflow is jam-packed with questions asking for language > comparisons, > > No, it's not the languages themselves I'm interested in (at the > moment). > > > If you're looking for something deeper and more technical, covering the > > technical challenges of implementing a new language on the platform > > Nor, the technicalities of doing so. > > What I'm interested in is seeing a discussion of the strategic wisdom > of developing languages that are dependent upon a propietary VM (i.e. > the JVM) which itself is targeted at a different languages (i.e. Java) > and to which these other languages are de facto commercial rivals. > > The "strategic wisdom" you're looking for is essentially the same as the answer to the question "why don't we all still use COBOL?" Languages evolve alongside the underlying computer science, the capabilities of computer hardware, and the commercial requirements of projects that they're being used for. Right now, multiple-cores are become mainstream, so any language (or language feature) that can take advantage of that and make concurrency easier has got to be a good thing - this is the current driving force behind functional programming. On the other hand, there's an absolute jungle of open-source libraries, tools, app servers, etc. already available that work with Java. Or, to be more accurate, they work with bytecode in class files. This creates two (apparently opposed) driving forces. 1. maintain the status quo to avoid the cost and risk of upgrading everything and learning new tools 2. embrace new languages to take advantage of progress in technology and theory The solution? Clojure, Scala, Groovy, Fantom, X10, Gosu, Fortress, etc. I'd question the claim that any of these are commercial rivals to Java. Java's commercial basis is largely centred around the JVM, as well as tools and platforms that work with bytecode (not so much course code). If anything - alternative languages are a step towards commoditising the ecosystem surrounding the JVM and will make the JVM itself more valuable. -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "The Java Posse" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<javaposse%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en. > > -- Kevin Wright mail / gtalk / msn : [email protected] pulse / skype: kev.lee.wright twitter: @thecoda -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en.
