::scr Touchy Feely?

[Mark Hulme-Jones]

On Fri, Oct 25, 2002 at 12:21:25PM +0100, Simon Kinahan wrote:
> Java has two advantages over Smalltalk (and many more disadvantages).
> Unfortunately, they turned out to be crucial.
> 
> 1. Its syntax is like sanitised C++. That made it relatively easy for most
> programmers to learn, even though the semantics are totally different.
> Remember, most programmers know only one or two languages, most of which
> will have a BCPL or Algol descended syntax, and never really understand the
> semantics of any language. Smalltalk's syntax is very nice once you get used
> to it - a good compromise between uniformity and readability - but it does
> need to be got used to.
> 
> 2. Smalltalk image files are rediculously huge, and the language does not
> really support separate compilation. When Java appeared, you could fill the
> typical PC hard disk with 20 Smalltalk programs. That made it unusable for
> most casual users.

3. You can't really use any old editor with it.  This and the image
issue was what persuaded me to devote more time to learning Common
Lisp instead.

-- 
Mark Hulme-Jones < ture@plig.net >