Google releases a new programming language named Go:

It has only two worth mention features (from what I read):
1. It is a distributed language
2. It compile things fast.

I don't know, about you, but fast compilation does not amaze me as a Pascal developer, we have it for many many years now, so why is it so worth mentioning feature ?!

Ido
http://ik.homelinux.org/

Because, as we all know, C, C++ and Java are the only compiled languages that exist :)

Seriously, it just shows that Free Pascal/Lazarus needs much more marketing. That and a stable Lazarus release with solid debugger support should be a priority IMHO.

It's supposed to be a crossbreed between C++ and Python :)

Here's a tutorial:

http://golang.org/doc/go_tutorial.html

Checked it out, but saw nothing to be impressed about. In fact I saw some appalling things:

"The Go |for| statement differs from that of C in a number of ways. First, it's the only looping construct; there is no |while| or |do|."

Ewww!!!

P.S. I still haven't reached the end of the tutorial and these are only my first impressions :)

Unlike Nikolay's initial impression, I see Go as a seriously impressive language.

Most notable is its handling of parallel processing. It is the first new language model I've seen that makes using multiple CPUs as easy as my mind wants it to be. As easy as it needs to be for everyone to stop struggling with thread-safety and move on with their work.

The emphasis on simple syntax, succinct language, and orthogonal features are taken right out of Pascal's heritage. (A minor point, but they even reversed C's variable declaration syntax to be more like Pascal's.) Yes, they should have given credit where due, but the real point is that they adopted the best of Pascal and combined it with the best of several other languages and then added some new thinking to obtain a result that is truly progressive.

The language looks very approachable to me. I intend to look into it further.

IBM create also X10 <http://x10-lang.org/> that also looks like Pascal and cleaner.
You also have erlang that gives you the same features.

I don't really understand the need for the new language from what I read so far.

Ido
http://ik.homelinux.org/

On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 9:05 PM, Doug Chamberlin <

I haven't checked this out, yet, as I'm not that interested in parallel processing, so you may have a point, it might be good for that. :)

The emphasis on simple syntax, succinct language, and orthogonal features are taken right out of Pascal's heritage.(A minor point, but they even reversed C's variable declaration syntax to be more like Pascal's.)

Yes, I noticed that. My guess it it's what makes it easier to parse so that's why they advertise fast compiling speeds - something which Pascal also does have.

Yes, they should have given credit where due, but the real point is that they adopted the best of Pascal and combined it with the best of several other languages and then added some new thinking to obtain a result that is truly progressive.

Actually, they do give credit to Pascal:
http://golang.org/doc/go_lang_faq.html

"What are Go's ancestors?
Go is mostly in the C family (basic syntax), with significant input from the Pascal/Modula/Oberon family (declarations, packages), plus some ideas from languages inspired by Tony Hoare's CSP, such as Newsqueak and Limbo (concurrency)."

The language looks very approachable to me. I intend to look into it further.

Doug Chamberlin :

[Go]

Most notable is its handling of parallel processing. It is the first new language model I've seen that makes using multiple CPUs as easy as my mind wants it to be. As easy as it needs to be for everyone to stop struggling with thread-safety and move on with their work.

Huh? That one is so much 70ies, I can virtually hear "Thank You for the Music" in the background... ;)

Vinzent.

ik :

I don't really understand the need for the new language from what I read so far.

It's in the bible I think. Four things a man should do in his life: Plant a tree, raise a son, build a house, and - invent a programming language.

If I'd ever do the latter, it'll be called YAFUL[1] for sure. :D

Vinzent.

[1] Yet Another F*cking Useless Language.

Nikolay Nikolov wrote

Actually, they do give credit to Pascal: http://golang.org/doc/go_lang_faq.html

So I see. Good for them!

If I'd ever do the latter, it'll be called YAFUL[1] for sure. :D

Your sense of humor is YAFUL, Vincent! :O