Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate

Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#1

Post by dnene » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 9:37 PM UTC

Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend
eclipse.org

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#2

Post by typicalrunt » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:23 PM UTC

Very cool. One nitpick (unless the video glossed over the details) is that the double arrows in the video for "personToGreet" looks weird because it's not a basic key on the keyboard.

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#3

Post by haldean » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:28 PM UTC

What is Xtend supposed to provide that Scala doesn't already provide? It looks like their setting out to solve a subset of the problems that Scala deals with already.

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#4

Post by weego » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:30 PM UTC

haldean wrote: post #3

What is Xtend supposed to provide that Scala doesn't already provide? It looks like their setting out to solve a subset of the problems that Scala deals with already.

by the looks of it, a decent IDE perhaps.

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#5

Post by hopeless » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:31 PM UTC

Oh, it looks like Xtend is to Java as Coffeescript is to Javascript. Although I'm sceptical about it compiling to Java source.

Java seems to be going through a period of experimentation, and alternative Java-like and JVM languages. Interesting times.

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#6

Post by siasia » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:31 PM UTC

yet another Scala

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#7

Post by phzbOx » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:32 PM UTC

So, "Extend is for the Java Programmer". I'm curious to see how this will turn out as there are some pretty cool features in this language. (Particularly the multiple dispatch, closures and type inference). However, any Java programmers could have made the switch to Clojure or Scala to keep working with the JVM. But, Extend is different in that it generates Java code instead of JVM. So, I'm wondering who will use that.

- Java programmers who are still stuck with old version: Even though they'd dream about using this, I'm guessing that won't compile to java 1.4/1.5.. right?

- Java programmers who already switched to high level language on top of jvm (Scala, clojure, etc.): Maybe the few who are still with Eclipse would switch back.. but I guess the majority of programmers in this scenario wouldn't want to switch.

- Java programmers who refuse, for various reasons, to learn newer languages/tools: Since it's still Java.. and still in Eclipse, it might be easier for them to give it a try? But then, if they refused to switch to newer language, it might be surprising to see them switch to Extend.

I'm a bit puzzled (as you can see). Personally, if I have to use the jvm, I'd go with clojure all the way.

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#8

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:32 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#9

Post by bartonfink » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:39 PM UTC

This reminds me quite a bit of Groovy, just with a different compiler back end (outputting Java source instead of bytecode). However, this makes me wonder what the point is. Groovy is more-or-less source compatible with Java already (a valid Java program is also a valid Groovy program), so I'm not sure what Extend brings to the table.

Re: Eclipse launches new language to cut down Java boilerplate - Extend

#10

Post by gbelote » Fri, Nov 04, 2011, 10:42 PM UTC

phzbOx wrote: post #7

So, "Extend is for the Java Programmer". I'm curious to see how this will turn out as there are some pretty cool features in this language. (Particularly the multiple dispatch, closures and type inference). However, any Java programmers could have made the switch to Clojure or Scala to keep working with the JVM. But, Extend is different in that it generates Java code instead of JVM. So, I'm wondering who will use tha…

It may also be a better option for developers who are in less control of their language/platform.

Large companies/teams come to mind, who want to avoid individuals using languages unfamiliar to the rest of the group (making it harder for others to maintain). The "compiles to readable java code" may be what convinces someone who would otherwise be against something like Scala.

Not saying it's 100% rational, that I agree with the position, or is a large market, but I can imagine it applying to certain groups. There's a certain comfort in knowing that at the end of the day you still have Java code.