Google Starts to Detail Dart 219
MrSeb writes "After waiting for more than a month, Google has unveiled its mysterious Dart programming language... and you're going to kick yourself for getting so preemptively excited. Dart is a new programming language that looks like Java, acts a lot like Java, runs inside a virtual machine like Java... but ominously, it also has a tool that converts Dart code into JavaScript. Language-wise, its features are unlikely to knot your panties: there are classes and interfaces, it is optionally typed (you can switch between untyped prototype code to an enterprise app with typing), the syntax is very lackluster, there's a very strong concurrency model, and Google is promising lots of juicy libraries that can be leveraged by developers. Basically, the language isn't meant to be exciting: in Google's own words, it's designed to be 'familiar and natural' — and indeed, if you write Java or C# code, Dart will probably feel very approachable."
Could be really cool in about 5 years or so. (Score:2, Insightful)
When and if every browser on the market supports it.
Until then it is just interesting.
That's actually very good! (Score:3, Insightful)
Even mono is not open enough to allow usage in many embedded devices (read: game consoles) without paying royalties, due to the GPL license.
A replacement for those that is portable, can be used everywhere, is easy to migrate to and is distributed by the very permissive licenses Google always utilizes sounds extremely good in my view, so I think the negative tone of the summary is misplaced..
Whoa there (Score:5, Insightful)
The main problem of Java and C# is that they are controlled by Oracle and Microsoft respectively
But Dart is controlled WHOLLY by Google. Why is that really any different or better?
The reality for Java is much better, it's controlled by a community standards body (the JCP). Oracle can provide direction but they are NOT in control the way Microsoft and Google are.