Re: LANG: Dynamic... *Dylan*

Adam T. McClure ([email protected])
Thu, 14 Jul 1994 12:53:32 -0600


I'm currently researching a language that is being promoted by Apple,
called Dylan. It is (hopefully) to become one of the primary languages of
OpenDoc which, for those who aren't familiar with it, is a
document-centered OS appriach that will be utilized by Taligent, Apple, and
(likely) HP in the next 1-2 years. Dylan is a truly object-oriented
language that was designed (unlike C++, and you can quote Stroustrup on the
issue) for software reusability. The issue of reusability is fairly
important if we're talking about libraries of objects. If you examine the
semantics and structure of AT&T C++ 3.0 (3.1?) it becomes evident that
despite the goal of reusability, the implementation doesn't really support
it. So, I will respectfully submit some form of report on Dylan as soon as
I can get my hands on the CD. By the way, it is trademarked by Apple
Comp., but their official policy as published in their developers briefings
is to freely license it to anyone who wants to make a quality
implementation. Basically, they trademarked it for quality control.
Classic Apple, but the specs look promising. Give a short email if you
know more about the language, or even better, have had a chance to use it
yourself. Thanks.

****************************************************************************
When philosophy has grown beyond science, * --Adam T. McClure
it is time to create a new science. *
* Colorado Center for
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is * Astrodynamics Research
indistinguishable from magic." (Arthur C. Clarke.) *
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