21 ms·

It would be cool if newer (imperative) languages had a clear protocol to delimit the simple core of the language from the advanced, library-building features. L

It would be cool if newer (imperative) languages had a clear protocol to delimit the simple core of the language from the advanced, library-building features. Like Rust has `unsafe` blocks, imagine a `advanced` or `metaprogramming` block that is required in order to use advanced metaprogramming features. Then you could tell a junior to implement $MUNDANE_INTEGRATION without use of `advanced`, and that constraint could be statically verified in PRs, etc. It seems like it would vastly simplify language evolution. The core language can have rigid limits on changes and follow the Zen of Python or whatever, while the `advanced` language extensions can be a bit looser. Features could graduate from advanced to core without breaking anything. You get a single powerful+expressive language with a "porcelain interface" without necessarily giving juniors ammo to shoot themselves in the foot.

teleforce 2y ago
I think D language fits your very descriptions. You have GC by default that's Python like and intuitive programming constructs. Since for the most part D compilation is much faster than C++ and Rust compilation as long as you stick to the core non-CTFE. Heck you can use D as a compiled scripting language with REPL using rdmd [1]. Then if you want to go gung-ho, you can use the other advance features like D's excellent template meta programming, CTFE, bit banging in-line assembly, etc. D has so many advanced features that can be explored later on, even modern C++ is playing catch up with D in every releases. Nowadays D compiler also support C natively [2] and GDC compiler is included inside the venerable GCC eco-system. There are university that teach software development and engineering class with D due to its managed, on-demand and gradual complexity, not like "in your face" complexity of the big kahuna programming language like C++ and Rust [3]. Like other compiled languages you can build real-time system even firmware device drivers in D unlike Python. [1] https://dlang.org/areas-of-d-usage.html#academia https://dlang.org/areas-of-d-usage.html#academia [2] Adding ANSI C11 C compiler to D so it can import and compile C files directly: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27102584 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27102584 [3] Teaching Software Engineering in DLang [pdf]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37620298 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37620298

teleforce 2y ago

I think D language fits your very descriptions. You have GC by default that's Python like and intuitive programming constructs. Since for the most part D compilation is much faster than C++ and Rust compilation as long as you stick to the core non-CTFE. Heck you can use D as a compiled scripting language with REPL using rdmd [1]. Then if you want to go gung-ho, you can use the other advance features like D's excellent template meta programming, CTFE, bit banging in-line assembly, etc. D has so many advanced features that can be explored later on, even modern C++ is playing catch up with D in every releases. Nowadays D compiler also support C natively [2] and GDC compiler is included inside the venerable GCC eco-system. There are university that teach software development and engineering class with D due to its managed, on-demand and gradual complexity, not like "in your face" complexity of the big kahuna programming language like C++ and Rust [3]. Like other compiled languages you can build real-time system even firmware device drivers in D unlike Python. [1] https://dlang.org/areas-of-d-usage.html#academia https://dlang.org/areas-of-d-usage.html#academia [2] Adding ANSI C11 C compiler to D so it can import and compile C files directly: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27102584 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27102584 [3] Teaching Software Engineering in DLang [pdf]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37620298 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37620298