On Oct 22, 2005, at 9:04 AM, Robert Edgar wrote:

> I am not meaning to be personally critical of anybody or there  
> intentions
> but really,
> I think we need another language like we need a hole in the head.

I have found that different languages are suited for different  
purposes.  The key is the platform the language runs on...those are  
typically the non-negotiable.  The fact that Nicolas is targeting the  
AVM1 platform _AND_ the AVM2 platform is the key.  Its not the  
language itself, but the platform.

Seriously, how many third part libraries do you use in your Flash  
applications right now?  I use none except ActionStep which I have  
helped write...and that only uses the inherent classes/objects of  
AVM1.  We've use ActionStep to build my company's app.  We also have  
a lot of Ruby code in our app to serve as the data service for the  
Flash app.  The platforms we need to support are Win32, OS X and  
ultimately Linux.  Most of the service side is in pure Ruby so the  
Ruby interpreter gives us Win32, OS X and Linux (with a few native C/C 
++ extensions where needed).  The Flash platform provides a  
sophisticated cross-platform UI infrastructure and ActionStep the  
component/event/application model.

I really enjoy programming in Ruby.  I really _do not_ enjoy  
programming in ActionScript.  For our purposes, however, the Flash  
platform was non-negotiable, and the only language on it is  
ActionScript 2.0 (and thank Nicolas for MTASC).  I tell you right now  
that I fully plan to look VERY SERIOUSLY at the language Nicolas is  
talking about.  If it is more enjoyable than AS3, and from just the  
teasers he has produced it already appears it will be, I will port  
ActionStep to it _and_ our application.

It might strange to focus on 'enjoy' when it comes to choosing a  
language...but I really believe that it makes a huge difference to  
the programming community and the applications that community  
creates.  Testimony to that is Ruby on Rails.

Best,

Rich

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