3 ms·

I wrote a thing about the economics of programming languages a while back: https://www.welton.it/articles/programming_language_economics.html https://www.welto

• pjmlp 8y ago
  Your article puts it very clearly, I enjoyed reading it.
• eternalban 8y ago
  You know, Ford Edsel was a "product" as well. I maintain that it is a non-sequitur, if not patronizing, to state the obvious facts about software language eco-systems. My perception remains that Go sufficiently delighted a critical mass of developers who then proceeded to create the said eco-system. Mere marketing can not engender a vibrant community.
  • davidw 8y ago
    I don't think those things are obvious to a lot of people. > a critical mass of developers How do you reach a critical mass of developers without something that looks like "marketing"?
    • eternalban 8y ago
      Please see my first post in this thread. As mentioned, I do agree that sans Rob Pike, Ken Thompson, and the Google host, the language would have likely languished in semi-obscurity. But if it was an entirely flea ridden dog, no amount of marketing would have afforded it the mind share that it possesses.
      • davidw 8y ago
        Sure, you have to have something that is reasonably high quality for marketing to work, for many products.