Pike is a dynamic programming language combining high-level productivity with efficient performance. Its syntax resembles Java and C, making it easy to learn for programmers familiar with those languages. Pike supports object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming paradigms. It boasts powerful features like garbage collection, advanced data structures, and built-in support for networking and databases. Pike is particularly well-suited for developing web applications, system administration tools, and networked applications, and is free and open-source software.
Flame is a free and accessible telnet-based Bulletin Board System (BBS) and Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) hosted by the University of Canberra Computer Club. It offers a nostalgic online experience with classic BBS features like forums, file transfers, and games, alongside a MUD environment for text-based roleplaying and exploration. Flame aims to provide a friendly and welcoming community for both experienced users familiar with these older systems and newcomers curious to explore the history of online communities. Users can connect via telnet or through a web-based interface, making it easily accessible.
Hacker News users discuss Flame, a BBS and MUD software package. Several commenters reminisce about their experiences with BBSes and MUDs, expressing nostalgia for that era of online interaction. Some discuss the technical aspects of Flame, praising its features and flexibility, and comparing it to other contemporary systems. A few users mention trying to get it running on modern hardware, with varying degrees of success. There's a brief discussion about the challenges of preserving old BBS software and data. Overall, the comments reflect a fondness for the history of online communities and an appreciation for Flame's role in it.
Discmaster 2, a text-based multiplayer disc golf game, has softly launched. The game features improved graphics, a refined physics engine based on real-world disc flight characteristics, multiple courses, and persistent online leaderboards. Players can customize their discs and throw styles for a personalized experience. While still in early access, the developers encourage players to join and provide feedback to help shape the game's future development.
Hacker News users discussed Discmaster 2's soft launch, expressing excitement and nostalgia for the original game. Several commenters shared fond memories of playing Discmaster in their youth, highlighting its addictive gameplay and competitive nature. Some questioned the monetization strategy of the sequel, expressing concern about potential microtransactions and hoping it wouldn't detract from the core gameplay experience. Others inquired about platform availability and gameplay changes. There was a general sense of anticipation for the full release, with users eager to see if Discmaster 2 could recapture the magic of the original. A few commenters also offered technical feedback, such as suggestions for improving the mobile interface.
Summary of Comments ( 37 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43734938
HN commenters discuss Pike's niche as a performant, garbage-collected language used for specific applications like the Roxen web server and MUDs. Some recall its history at LPC and its association with the LPC MUD. Several express surprise that it's still maintained, while others share positive experiences with its speed and C-like syntax, comparing it favorably to Java in some respects. One commenter highlights its use in high-frequency trading due to its performance characteristics. The overall sentiment leans towards respectful curiosity about a relatively obscure but seemingly capable language.
The Hacker News post titled "Pike – a dynamic programming language with a syntax similar to Java and C" linking to the official Pike website (pike.lysator.liu.se) has a modest number of comments, generating a short discussion rather than an extensive debate. Several commenters reminisce about their past experiences with Pike, mostly from the late 1990s and early 2000s. A common theme is remembering Pike's association with the LPC language and its use in MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons), particularly the LPMud driver. Some users recall enjoying using Pike, praising its performance and features, while acknowledging its somewhat limited adoption.
One commenter specifically mentions using it for web development around 2000, finding it fast and well-suited to the task. They contrast this with their current usage of PHP and express a sense of nostalgia for Pike. Another user highlights Pike's then-advanced features like garbage collection and its module system.
The connection to the Roxen web server is also brought up, with a commenter mentioning that Roxen was originally written in Pike, showcasing a real-world application of the language.
A couple of comments speculate on the reasons for Pike's relative obscurity. One suggests that its unique name might have hindered its discoverability, as searching for information about it would have been difficult in the pre-Google era. Another commenter posits that Pike may have been "ahead of its time" and that some of its concepts, like garbage collection, were not as widely appreciated or understood back then.
There's a brief exchange about the current state of Pike, where a commenter clarifies that it is still actively maintained, albeit by a smaller community. Finally, one commenter mentions a seemingly unrelated project, the "Roxy" file manager, leading another to correct them and explain that Roxy was unrelated to Roxen or Pike.
Overall, the comments paint a picture of Pike as a language with a dedicated, though niche, following. Many remember it fondly for its capabilities and performance, particularly in the context of MUDs and early web development. The discussion also touches upon potential reasons for its limited adoption, including discoverability issues and the historical context of its features.