On 5 maj 2011, at 10:07, Sven Van Caekenberghe <[email protected]> wrote:

> 
> On 05 May 2011, at 09:58, Toon Verwaest wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>> I can tell you that independent of how the industry might perceive the 
>> language Smalltalk, learning Smalltalk will make you personally a better 
>> software engineer. And this is what the industry does want. You will look at 
>> programming from a new angle and this will give you an edge. 
>> 
>> This is also true for learning other old languages like Scheme or Lisp. As 
>> long as you stay within your Java / .NET bubble you will be one in a 
>> billion. If you learn Smalltalk, the fact you know something that other 
>> people might not makes you more special. The only negative part of learning 
>> Smalltalk while working on other types of applications is that you will eat 
>> your shoe 95% of the time hating that Java / .NET aren't more evolved and 
>> flexible :)
>> 
>> As it seems that you are already working on a project revolving around 
>> Smalltalk, be very happy that you are getting the opportunity to learn it; 
>> you'll come out for the better.
>> 
>> Lastly, don't care too much about popularity within industry. If you take 
>> the time to learn the systems for yourself you will probably learn to 
>> understand the differences yourself. You are currently also part of industry 
>> and obviously don't know Smalltalk well yet; how informed was your decision 
>> to not know Smalltalk? You are part of "the industry" making other people 
>> not choose Smalltalk based on your (non-)choice of not using Smalltalk; if 
>> they would all think this way! Sheep won't change anything :)
>> 
>> cheers,
>> Toon
> 
> Very well written, Toon!
> 
> And like you say, there is a danger: Smalltalk is the Red Pill, once you know 
> it and get it, you will never want to go back. 

This is all too true! :-/

--
Cheers,
Peter

> 
> You have been warned.
> 
> Sven
> 
> 

Reply via email to