I do agree in the current setup. That's why I'm working very hard on
changing this. I want Smalltalk to be completely compatible at all
levels with other languages, so that we can use their libraries rather
than having to rewrite them.
I'm working on it. Stay tuned ;)
On 05/05/2011 11:42 AM, Carlo wrote:
Hi
While I agree with everyone's sentiments I think that practically If I ware
starting my career off again I would still go into Java or .NET.
To get a job as a Smalltalk developer is difficult simply because they are so
scarce. Yes technically Smalltalk has design and philosophical merits but, for
someone starting their career, a more mainstream language would be best. It is
still too difficult to make Smalltalk do enterprise scale integration and there
is a serious lack of libraries; something that the Java and .NET (even Ruby)
world does not suffer from. i'm not saying That Smalltalk can't do these things
but rather that it is more difficult to integrate with the outside world; it's
ecosystem is small compared to the J2EE ecosystem.
My advice would be to start off with Java or .NET and then when you've gained
practical development experience (+-5 years) decide where you want to take your
career. During this time you should be looking at other languages and
practices, such as Smalltalk, software methodologies, DDD, FP etc, and learn
from them to make you a better software engineer.
A career in development is so much more than simply the programming language.
BTW I'm still regretting not taking a Smalltalk position here in South Africa
when I had the chance :) Maybe I will still...
Cheers
Carlo
On 05 May 2011, at 10:57 AM, Johan Brichau wrote:
That is a superb response, Toon!
I could not agree more.
Let me add to that Smalltalk is not dead. It's the stealth weapon of mass
productivity used by small technology startups ;-)
Johan
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
On 05/05/2011 07:38 AM, sourav roy wrote:
Hi All,
I have just started my career in Software/IT industry and got into a project
which involes enhancement/maintainance of product built in Smalltalk.
I was never exposed to this language before and have no idea if it is used in
the Industry as popularly as JAVA and .NET and looks like its a DEAD
language for the industry. I may be wrong but i need some clarification about
it.
I just want to know that why smalltalk is not so popular as the other OOPs
Languages and what is the future prospect of
one if he/she is into Smalltalk development.
Looking for some positive note so that it may give me some entho for working
with Smalltalk.
Thanks&Regards,
Sourav Roy
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