The D Language Progresses

xsniper writes "D made its debut here on Slashdot in August 2001. Since then, many new features have been implemented, to include: operator overloading and slew of additional functionalities. It was featured as a cover story for the February 2002 issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal, and has been ported to the UNIX environment. I encourage programmers to revisit the specs to see how Walter Bright has addressed their concerns. A copy of the compiler is also available for testing. I'm sure some would be surprised by the achievements made thus far."

Comments

Of course not

[autopr0n]

The next language should be named C+=2!

almost up my alley..

[gothamNY]

As soon as they get to F, which I am intimately familiar with, I might pick it up..

Re:Shouldn't it be 'E'?

[tfinniga]

Actually, C++ is being post-incremented, so this iteration C++ is the same as c, but next time around it'll be great!

Re:What is D?

[macrom]

D aims to reduce software development costs by at least 10% by adding in proven productivity enhancing features and by adjusting language features so that common, time-consuming bugs are eliminated from the start.

You know, the above little blurb had me going until this statement. For Chrissake, why don't you just prefix it with "The following marketing fluff statement was divined specifically so non-technical, pointy-haired managers could force yet another programming language on already overworked developers." I would have expected more from computer scientists than this. How is the world can you design a programming language, assume that it will automatically meet my needs, then assume that it will reduce my costs for development, which are completely unknown to you? I'm afraid in this case, ASSUME makes an ASS out of U and not me.

I mean, you'll never hear (nor have you heard in the past) Bjarne claiming that C++ will solve your development ills. Hell, I don't even think Microsoft has claimed that C# will reduce your costs by a specific amount.

Wait...what did you say? The D programming language will get me laid? Not laid off? Where's that compiler again...?

Menage Theory

[Scotch Game]

Eh. The way I see "D" is this:

C++ was alone for the night when Eiffel stopped by, noticing C++ was by itself, "just for a few drinks". Well, things started to get out of hand and just then Java walks in. Tense moment. Awkward silence. But to C++'s relief, Java joins in.

Well, as luck would have it, Java gets pregnant but the three of them have found they really enjoy each other's company, they balance each other out in certain areas, so they buck convention and all move in together and raise the kid under an "alternative" family, and hey, there's nothing wrong with that. They call their kid D, and while he's still young and has a lot to learn, he's got features, interfaces, delegates and assertions built in. He might just turn out all right after all.

Watch for the movie, starring Richard Gere as C++ (he's older and has a rumored past, but he'll give the rest of the case a few pointers), Catherine Zeta Jones as Java, and Renee Zellweger as Eiffel (she's hot, but underappreciated). Lil' Bow Wow will guest star as D.

The Bell Labs answer

[devphil]

There's an axiom at Bell Labs (where C and C++ came from, for those who don't know):

Some languages are designed to solve a problem. Others are designed to prove a point.