Google has today launched a new programming language called Dart for “structured web programming.” Unfortunately, there aren’t many technical details about the new Dart programming language as yet. But the brand-new language will be discussed by tech lead manager Lars Bak and Google software engineer Gilad Bracha at the Goto international software development conference next month on October 10th.
Google describes its new Dart programming language as a “fast, statically typed, compiled language that feels like a dynamically typed, interpreted language”. This intriguing description suggests that Dart aims to combine the best of both worlds: the performance and reliability of statically typed languages with the flexibility and ease of use of dynamically typed languages.
Why Dart?
The introduction of Dart is seen as a strategic move by Google to address some of the limitations and challenges faced by developers using JavaScript, the current dominant language for web development. JavaScript, while powerful and widely adopted, has certain shortcomings, particularly in large-scale web applications. Issues such as performance bottlenecks, maintainability, and scalability can become significant hurdles.
Dart aims to mitigate these issues by offering a more structured and robust programming environment. For instance, Dart’s static typing can help catch errors at compile time rather than at runtime, potentially reducing bugs and improving code quality. Additionally, Dart’s compilation to JavaScript ensures that it can run on all modern web browsers, making it a versatile choice for web developers.
Features and Potential
Although detailed technical specifications are yet to be released, some anticipated features of Dart include:
1. Optional Typing: Dart allows developers to use both static and dynamic typing, providing flexibility in how they write their code.
2. Concurrency: Dart is expected to have robust support for asynchronous programming, making it easier to handle concurrent operations.
3. Tooling: Google is likely to provide a suite of tools to support Dart development, including an integrated development environment (IDE), debugging tools, and performance profilers.
4. Libraries and Packages: A rich ecosystem of libraries and packages is anticipated to support a wide range of functionalities, from basic utilities to complex web frameworks.
Rumours were started a few weeks ago about Dart when Google started registering domain names that included the word Dart. But it was initially thought that the domain may be linked to one of Google’s advertising platforms which is called Dart. This led to some confusion and speculation within the tech community.
As always, as more information becomes available, we will keep you updated. The upcoming Goto conference will likely shed more light on Dart’s capabilities and potential applications. Developers and tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting more details to see how Dart will fit into the broader landscape of web development technologies.
Source: The Register : Image Source : Flickr
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