Red is a next-generation full-stack programming language aiming for both extreme simplicity and extreme power. It incorporates a reactive engine at its core, enabling responsive interfaces and dataflow programming. Featuring a human-friendly syntax, Red is designed for metaprogramming, code generation, and domain-specific language creation. It's cross-platform and offers a complete toolchain encompassing everything from low-level system programming to high-level scripting, with a small, optimized footprint suitable for embedded systems. Red's ambition is to bridge the gap between low-level languages like C and high-level languages like Rebol, from which it draws inspiration.
The Red programming language distinguishes itself through a blend of high-level abstractions and low-level capabilities, striving to bridge the gap between scripting ease and system programming power. It achieves this through a unique approach to metaprogramming and a single, homoiconic language construct that encompasses both data and code. This core concept facilitates the creation of Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) and simplifies the generation and manipulation of code itself.
Red prioritizes pragmatism and productivity, offering a concise syntax designed for readability and ease of use. It aims to be a full-stack language, encompassing a wide range of programming paradigms, including imperative, functional, and symbolic programming. This allows developers to select the best approach for the task at hand within a single, unified environment.
A key characteristic of Red is its toolchain, built upon a reactive, native-code compiler and a bytecode compiler. This dual-compiler system allows for both rapid prototyping through interpreted bytecode and the generation of highly performant native executables for deployment. This flexibility caters to various development scenarios and targets diverse platforms, ranging from embedded systems to large-scale applications. Furthermore, the entire toolchain is remarkably small, enhancing portability and minimizing dependencies.
The project emphasizes a "batteries included" philosophy, incorporating a rich standard library that covers networking, graphics, and GUI development, reducing the need for external libraries. This comprehensive approach simplifies development and deployment, streamlining the process from initial coding to final product.
Red aims to be cross-platform, supporting various operating systems, and is committed to fostering a supportive and active community. This commitment to community involvement is central to the ongoing development and evolution of the language. The vision of Red extends beyond just being a language; it aims to provide a holistic ecosystem for software development, empowering developers with a powerful yet accessible toolset. The project explicitly focuses on both novice and experienced programmers, aiming to lower the barriers to entry while still providing the depth and flexibility required for complex projects. Finally, Red is fully open-source, encouraging community contribution and ensuring the long-term viability and transparency of the project.
Summary of Comments ( 111 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44044306
Hacker News commenters on the Red programming language announcement express cautious optimism mixed with skepticism. Several highlight Red's ambition to be both a system programming language and a high-level scripting language, questioning the feasibility of achieving both goals effectively. Performance concerns are raised, particularly regarding the current implementation and its reliance on Rebol. Some commenters find the "full-stack" nature intriguing, encompassing everything from low-level system access to GUI development, while others see it as overly broad and reminiscent of Rebol's shortcomings. The small team size and potential for vaporware are also noted. Despite reservations, there's interest in the project's potential, especially its cross-compilation capabilities and reactive programming features.
The Hacker News post about the Red programming language has a moderate number of comments, sparking a discussion around several key aspects of the language and its development.
Several commenters express intrigue and cautious optimism about Red's ambition to be both a low-level and high-level language, a "full-stack" solution. They acknowledge the potential power of such a language, but also voice skepticism about the feasibility and potential performance implications of this approach. Some raise questions about the practicality of targeting both system programming and application development simultaneously.
There's a discussion around the performance of Red, with some commenters expressing concerns about its speed and efficiency, particularly in comparison to established languages. Others counter that performance isn't the only metric and highlight Red's ease of use and potential for rapid development. The garbage collection mechanism of Red is also brought up, with queries about its implementation and impact on performance.
Red's cross-compilation capabilities are a point of interest for several commenters. The ability to compile to multiple platforms from a single codebase is seen as a valuable feature. Some ask about the specifics of how this cross-compilation works and the level of platform support offered.
The choice of Rebol as Red's inspiration and foundation generates discussion. Some commenters familiar with Rebol express concerns based on their past experiences, while others see it as a positive influence. The syntax and design choices inherited from Rebol are discussed, with some praising their elegance and others expressing reservations.
Security considerations are raised regarding Red's use as a systems programming language. Commenters question the potential vulnerabilities introduced by features like its reactive programming capabilities and its approach to memory management.
The small community and limited adoption of Red are also acknowledged. Some commenters express concern about the long-term sustainability of the project and the availability of resources and support. Others view the smaller community as an opportunity for closer engagement with the development team.
Finally, several commenters express interest in exploring Red further and experimenting with its features, indicating a degree of curiosity and potential for future growth within the community. The overall tone is one of cautious interest, acknowledging the ambitious goals of Red while also raising valid concerns about its practical implementation and long-term viability.