My niche language is Racket. I like it because I like Schemes more than Common Lisps and I think it is the most accessible Scheme. It improves on some of the issues I have with my main language, Python, mostly around creating an executable. If I'm being honest, I also get a dopamine hit from using a niche language, but maybe I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
1–10 of 172 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#2Nothing beats Smalltalk for rapid prototyping.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#3I like to program in as many languages as is possible. It's great exercise for my day job. It forces you to consider different ways of solving problems and in my experience has generally made me a better programmer across all languages I use.
So.. why wouldn't you code a small hobby project in something niche? That's more than half the fun.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#4Usually I dont for my "main" hobby projects, but for other projects I use niche languages either because I'm trying to learn them (usually this is the entire purpose of the project), they're the best fit for the job (GDScript is a good example of this) or because I get more done in them.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#5I don't like programming hobby projects in a niche language - per se. My hobby projects involve using languages, toolchains, or concepts that I wish I were better at, either out of professional or personal interests.
Rust, Swift, Modern CMake, Vulkan, WebGL, Hugo and Gatsby are examples of things I've used in side projects that have directly benefit my professional career.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#6No post body was provided.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#7Not sure if Clojure is considered niche, but anyway I do it because it's the most fun programming language for me.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#8Quoted post unavailable.
This is a site for programmers, not a world affairs site. "Discussing pet languages" is entirely within the scope of the site.
There are about a zillion other places on the web to discuss current events. Maybe try one of them instead?
(edit)
From the FAQ:
Off-Topic: Most stories about politics, or crime, or sports, unless they're evidence of some interesting new phenomenon. Videos of pratfalls or disasters, or cute animal pictures. If they'd cover it on TV news, it's probably off-topic.
(emphasis mine)
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#9I use BiwaScheme a lot. It's a (reasonably good, though not 100% complete) Scheme that runs in the browser and has excellent JavaScript interop.
It's pleasant to write stuff in a non-ugly language, while still having access to the JS environment if you need it.
Re: Ask HN: Why are you programming your hobby projects in a niche language?
#10I do use niche languages like Delphi for example. Not because of hobby but where it makes sense. I think it is the most practical way of creating nice desktop applications. I also use C++ for writing backend servers. Could be considered niche as well. But since I am a vendor I mostly do what makes sense to my business and could not care less about what is the latest and greatest in FAANG world.