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.
This post outlines a vision for first-class WebAssembly support in Swift, enabling developers to compile Swift code directly to Wasm for use in web browsers and other Wasm environments. The proposal emphasizes seamless integration with existing JavaScript ecosystems, allowing bidirectional communication between Swift and JavaScript code. It also aims for near-native performance by leveraging Wasm's capabilities, and proposes tools and workflows to simplify the development process, such as automatic generation of JavaScript bindings for Swift code. The ultimate goal is to empower Swift developers to build high-performance web applications and leverage the growing Wasm ecosystem, while maintaining Swift's core values of safety, performance, and expressiveness.
Hacker News users discussed the potential and challenges of Swift for WebAssembly. Some expressed excitement about the prospect of using Swift for frontend development, highlighting its performance and type safety as advantages over JavaScript. Others were more cautious, pointing to the existing maturity of JavaScript and its ecosystem, and questioning whether Swift could gain significant traction. Concerns were raised about the size of Swift compiled output and the integration with existing JavaScript libraries and frameworks. The potential for full-stack Swift development and server-side applications with WebAssembly was also mentioned as a motivating factor. Several users suggested that prioritizing the developer experience and tooling would be crucial for adoption.
Nango, a platform simplifying the development and management of product integrations, is seeking a senior full-stack engineer. The role involves building and maintaining core product features, including their SDKs and API. Ideal candidates have strong experience with TypeScript, React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL, as well as a passion for developer tools and a desire to work in a fast-paced startup environment. This remote position offers competitive salary and equity, with the opportunity to significantly impact a growing product.
Hacker News users discussed Nango's hiring post with a focus on the broad tech stack requirements. Several commenters expressed concern about the expectation for a single engineer to be proficient in frontend (React, Typescript), backend (Node.js, Python, Postgres), and DevOps (AWS, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes). This sparked debate about the feasibility of finding such a "full-stack" engineer and whether this listing actually indicated a need for multiple specialized roles. Some speculated that Nango might be a small team with limited resources, necessitating a wider skill set per individual. Others suggested the listing could deter qualified candidates who specialize in specific areas. A few commenters also questioned the use of both Python and Node.js, wondering about the rationale behind this choice. The overall sentiment leaned towards skepticism about the practicality of the required skillset for a single role.
This post serves as a guide for Django developers looking to integrate modern JavaScript into their projects. It emphasizes moving away from relying solely on Django's templating system for dynamic behavior and embracing JavaScript's power for richer user experiences. The guide covers setting up a development environment using tools like webpack and npm, managing dependencies, and structuring JavaScript code effectively within a Django project. It introduces key concepts like modules, imports/exports, asynchronous programming with async/await, and using modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue, or Svelte for building dynamic front-end interfaces. Ultimately, the goal is to empower Django developers to create more complex and interactive web applications by leveraging the strengths of both Django and a modern JavaScript workflow.
HN commenters largely discussed their preferred frontend frameworks and tools for Django development. Several championed HTMX as a simpler alternative to heavier JavaScript frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular, praising its ability to enhance Django templates directly and minimize JavaScript's footprint. Others discussed integrating established frameworks like React or Vue with Django REST Framework for API-driven development, highlighting the flexibility and scalability of this approach. Some comments also touched upon using Alpine.js, another lightweight option, and the importance of considering project requirements when choosing a frontend approach. A few users cautioned against overusing JavaScript, emphasizing Django's strengths for server-rendered applications.
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.