From: "MSG" <michael@pickles.org>
Subject: Ultimate Language feature list
Date: 1998/05/13
Date: 1998-05-13T00:00:00+00:00 [thread overview]
Message-ID: <6jc18b$lug$1@news.eclipse.net> (raw)
I do all my development in C++. Not necessarily because I want to, but
because I keep looking (and looking) for alternate languages/environments
and they ALWAYS come up short. I've decided that the language/environment
for me hasn't been created, so I'm starting a list of features that I
like/require. It's drawn from good languages (I don't consider C++ a "good"
language", neither is Java). If anyone would care to contribute, please
feel free. Who knows, maybe with enough interest we can create a
language/environment we REALLY like and that works easily on any platform,
allowing you to use a sophisticated language and still access platform
specific features for truly fantastic and stable applications.
I hope a posting like this doesn't cause a flame war. I'm just sharing my
feelings and hoping that some interest will spark -- to what end, I'm not
sure.
Michael Scott Garnett
michael@pickles.org
#1 Verbosity. C++ and Java's cryptic syntax is cute and fun, but not
useful. Our Language (OL -- come up with a good name) should be verbose
like Ada and Eiffel. Semicolons optional like Eiffel (except where
ambiguous).
#2 Completely OO. No free floating subroutines. The only construct higher
than a CLASS is an Organizational Unit (like an Eiffel cluster).
#3 Object-Dot-Feature syntax. No Ada95esque subprograms which take class
arguments (like C++ friend functions). I am torn between Object-Dot-Feature
and Object SPACE feature syntax (like Smalltalk).
#4 Reference Objects as a default with the ability to expand an object or
class to full form (like Eiffel EXPANDED types)
#5 Garbage Collection.
#6 Construction and Finalization
#7 Predictable Finalization for stack-based objects (either reference or
expanded). When the immediately enclosing scope terminates, the
finalization is called THEN. This is VERY important for reliable external
resource management (OK, C++ did this right).
#8 Polymorphism as the rule. Let the compiler figure out which routines are
not overridden and use static calls where appropriate (a la Eiffel).
#9 Named arguments. Either like Ada or like Smalltalk (object moveTo: here
usingPath: aPath).
#10 Array and record aggregates (like Ada).
#11 Multiple inheritance like Eiffel, NOT C++.
#12 STRONG typing and constraint/program checking in the compile and runtime
like Ada. Options to remove such features in a "finalized" version is very
much necessary.
#13 Ada-style tasks. Using Object-as-task, like the proposed Eiffel
extension "separate". Ada's SELECT mechanism. Protected types (like
Ada95), Java almost got this right.
#14 EASY access to other languages/calling conventions. Any CLASS's
features my be effected by external other-language routines. The includes an
easy way to link to C++ libraries. Such special classes can specify that
for "THIS" an other-language-notion be used. Such classes would lack
"variables", being limited to routines only.
#15 Generics. Not templates.
#16 Intrinsic types (like Integer) as objects, but completely replaced in
generated code by native types (like Eiffel).
#17 Ada's float types (delta, digits).
#18 Range specifications (like Ada). Checked at compile time and run time.
#19 Discriminated record/class types (like Ada). Checked at compile time
and run time. (maybe not necessary with inheritance)
#20 An easy with to extend and re-expose/hide features of parents. Like
Eiffel.
#21 Distributed computing.
#22 Pre- and post-conditions (from Eiffel). Including support for the "old"
keyword. The closest thing to Z (pronounced Zed - a formal method) that
I've seen.
next reply other threads:[~1998-05-13 0:00 UTC|newest]
Thread overview: 22+ messages / expand[flat|nested] mbox.gz Atom feed top
1998-05-13 0:00 MSG [this message]
1998-05-13 0:00 ` Ultimate Language feature list John McCabe
1998-05-13 0:00 ` Charles Hixson
1998-05-14 0:00 ` Eugene Mayevski
1998-05-13 0:00 ` Mark K. Gardner
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Jussi Santti
1998-05-14 0:00 ` Mats Weber
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Fergus Henderson
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Chris Miller
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Franck Arnaud
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Stephen Bull
1998-05-20 0:00 ` John Volan
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Nick Roberts
1998-05-16 0:00 ` Tarjei T. Jensen
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Nick Leaton
-- strict thread matches above, loose matches on Subject: below --
1998-05-13 0:00 adam
1998-05-14 0:00 ` Rainer Joswig
1998-05-14 0:00 ` John English
1998-05-14 0:00 ` Michael F Brenner
1998-05-14 0:00 ` John McCabe
1998-05-14 0:00 ` Charles Hixson
1998-05-15 0:00 ` Fergus Henderson
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