7 ms·
Ask HN: What software stack to select for my project (a modern retro computer)?
Hello all,
I need your advice in selecting the software stack for an educational, boot-to-code computer. The computer will be an AIO with a keyboard, screen and a Linux board with just-enough CPU to run the coding environment.
The intent is that eventually in the future to turn the computer in a commercial product that will come bundled with a coding book that will teach coding to young audiences and enthusiasts. E.g. a modern-retro computer.
Below are a few mockups and even a possible ad:
Pic1: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FqZl4tNWAAEVICB?format=jpg
Pic2: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fo-QP-MX0AEOjUJ?format=jpg
Pic3: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fo-QP-PXEAIGSn4?format=jpg
The computer will offer a simple coding editor, a language (TBD) with a nice API for drawing shapes, put sprites, etc. on a graphical canvas.
Now, back to software stack that will power the coding environment (editor, menus, etc.) and a language interpreter (e.g. JavaScript).
Main requirement from software stack is to run on a low-powered Linux SBC and boot in under 5 seconds to coding environment.
I’m considering the following options:
1. Dart + Flutter + Skia (no X)
2. C# + Avalonia + Skia (no X)
3. Kotlin + Compose for Desktop + Skia (no X)
4. Pascal + Ultibo (no Linux)
5. C + LVGL (no X)
6. Vala + GTK (Linux w/ X)
7. HTML5 (Linux w/X and Chromium engine).
What do you recommend?
P.S. Looking forward to your recommendations regarding features of the coding platform. My intent is that experience to be similar to fantasy consoles (but high-res) or to codeguppy.com environment.
- jenadine 4y ago8. C++ + Qt. (no X) 9. Rust + Slint (bare meta or Linux)
- johndoe0815 4y agoYour concept looks nice, it reminds me a bit of the Lisperati: https://www.hackster.io/news/the-lisperati1000-is-a-cyberdeck-terminal-dedicated-to-lisp-programming-bb564f2ffcff https://www.hackster.io/news/the-lisperati1000-is-a-cyberdec... So, did you consider Lisp or maybe Smalltalk? Plan 9 or Inferno might also be options. Plan 9 comes in different variants, the "classic" one (with a Raspberry Pi port by Richard Miller) or 9front, an Inferno porting tutorial can be found at https://github.com/yshurik/inferno-rpi https://github.com/yshurik/inferno-rpi Lisp and Smalltalk can run with or without Linux underneath, e.g. on the Raspberry Pi. Bare-metal Lisp is available with interim: http://interim-os.com http://interim-os.com Finally, bare-metal Smalltalk is available in my crosstalk system: https://github.com/michaelengel/crosstalk https://github.com/michaelengel/crosstalk Of course, Lisp and Smalltalk can also run hosted under Linux, e.g. using Squeak (https://squeak.org https://squeak.org), Pharo (https://pharo.org https://pharo.org) or InterLisp (https://github.com/Interlisp/medley https://github.com/Interlisp/medley). Or - a crazy idea - build an emacs-only machine. That would be fun! :)
- codeguppy 4y agoThank you for the comment and suggestions. I'm not very familiar with Lisp... so I was considering an imperative language with easy to learn syntax: javascript, lua, or python.
- throwaway675309 4y agoSo like the Commander X16 then? It's basically a retro modern computer with immediate boot to BASIC coding mode. https://www.commanderx16.com https://www.commanderx16.com https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Commander_X16 https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Commander_X16
- codeguppy 4y agoThe difference is that coralmicro will run on modern hardware (e.g. small SBC similar to raspberry pi)