On Javascript and simplicity
If you still have doubts about Javascript: becomingbeing the most popular programming languge, its probably because you are not exposed enough to the web-based Applications paradigm shift efffects.
Not only there seems to be more javascript code (in terms of sheer volume) out there, its also about the number of users using applications that are driven by it, most of them not really knowing, or wanting to know, what it is, but thats an entirely different story for someone to tell, again.
We are relying on 4 primary programming languages. C/C++ for backend 'stuff', PHP, Javascript and SGL for frontend/light-weight 'stuff'. Well, we do use bash scripting for _so_ much systems and operations 'stuff', some python and perl here and there, as well as some java and Flash/AS3 for more frontend 'stuff'.
SGL is our home-grown programming language, it stands for Switch Glue Language, Switch being the main framework/library everything - all services, tools, other libraries, etc - are based on. The idea is that we can use this language anywhere we want to script operations and 'glue' things(services, resources, operations, etc) together. Currently, its used for two major services.
Our frontend developers eventually have to learn, or at least get familiar with, all those three main frontend languages, PHP, Javascript, SGL. Interestingly enough, Javascript code output surpassed PHP output, in terms of volume, mostly because our apps got more functional, fancy, whatever cool bang you get from client-side logic on the browser -- I wouldn't know really, I don't know much about frontend development, our main frontend team do though and that's all that matters (partial unordered list: phaistonian, hatdi, sug, stelabouras).
Given that SGL has been long due for a rewrite ( the currenty language syntax and semantics ), I thought I put aside some time to rwrite it, this time around using Javascript language syntax and semantics so that, when its ready, we could replace PHP with SGL thus, effectively, switching from 3 frontend languages to just one. Our developers, current and future ones, would only need to learn a single language, which may be the greatest benefit to this shift, but it sure is not the only one.
This will be my third attempt to writing a programming language ( SGL being the second, PASTE was the first.. those were the days) and thanks to Javascript being a standard, its a 'simple' enough matter of writing an efficient enough VM that will run the emitted bytecode ( I am toying with the idea of being able to target PHP and other languages, eventually, generating - say, PHP code from SGL code and so on ).
So far the lexer, most of the parser and some parts of the VM are in place. Hopefully, there will be enough time and sustained motivation to keep this going (its a side project, so it can't really preempt current major Phaistos projects ) until its ready, perhaps by the end of the month.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication- Leonardo da Vinci
Saturday, 1 August 2009 9:26 pm
Go for the eyes, Boo!
My (by far) most awaited movie release is Tarantino's new film 'Inglourious Basterds', coming out in August. Check the latest trailers. Pitt's talent in bringing to life the badass character Tarantino penned, coupled with the overall theme makes for an exploding, action-packed funny movie, the way I see it. I can't wait to watch it.
Google Says Mobile App Stores Have No Future : Unless web-based applications offer the same kind of functionality native applications can and do offer, I don't see how everything will be moved off to the Web. It may make sense for a class of applications, but, realistically speaking - there are a few hoops that are just too difficult to jump over for this to come to pass. Palm is betting big on this concept, now, with Pre and its Mojo SDK - which is really not working out for them. Maybe in a few years when the underlying hardware and operating system services will be, somehow, become available/exposed to remotely executed apps it will make more sense to expect this to be the case.
Serious Doubts : Marco Arment argues it is hard or next to impossible to run a serious business of writing iPhone applications. I still haven't developed a 'real' iPhone app, though I wouldn't really do it for the money, not that I would mind getting any in the long run. As far as I am concerned, those digital distribution systems solve, well, the physical distribution problems(which are many) and facilitate access to content that has traditionally been hard to access. Everything else is a byproduct of competition and demand.
Now that Monkey Island Special Edition and the first episode of Tales of Monkey Island are out, my new most awaited game is Bioware's Dragon Age : Origins. I have high hopes for the spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate, not the least concerned with the somewhat negative previews so far( people seem to dislike the 'adult' content in the game). It will ve possible ( much like it was the case with Baldur's Gate and other Infinity Engine games ) to issue orders to party members in real time, or pause and queue up actions that will be carried once upon unpausing the game. As far as I am concerned, this is the best control scheme for CRPGs ever devised. Who knows, maybe Minsc will make a surprise cameo appearance. "Go for the eyes, Boo! Go for the eyes!"
Saturday, 18 July 2009 7:35 pm
I want to be a pirate!
I downloaded and played The Secret of Monkey Island : Special Edition on Xbox Live Arcade. It took less than few minutes to download the 500+ MB demo and no more than 10 seconds after I launched it to be excited. The classic intro screen was on display with the classic - much beloved - monkey island music theme(youtube video) and then it faded out to the new and improved screen, spotlighting the most exciting enhancement to the remake.
The folks at Lucasarts pulled it off; it is the same wonderful game we 'all' know and love, outfitted with gorgeous hand drawn graphics, dialogue voice-overs and a user interface that actually works on the consoles.
I wish I could purchase the full game, alas, the whole Microsoft Points deal is messy due to the fact that Xbox Live is not 'officially' supported in Greece and the implications related to credit cards processing. Links: Review on Gamespy, Guybrush Threepwood
I turned on my dekstop PC tonight in order to look for Trine on Steam. I came across a review on Giantbomb and was really impressed by the premise and the visuals of the game. Some friends have played it and had nothing but words of praise for it. Hopefully, I will play for a while this weekend. Speaking of my PC, in retrospect, it was one of the least meaninful purchases I ever made. My intentions were to install Linux so that I could work on the Linux Kernel and prepare for Larrabee's arrival so that I would eventually get to develop for it ( I am very excited about Larrabee if previous posts haven't made it clear by now ). Turns out, I only use my beloved MBP anyway for I have so little time to spare lately. Oh, well.
Being Amiga users back in the day was a lot like choosing a platform with a soul over PCs. I feel the same away about using Apple products (especially OS X). It feels great, it feels right, it feels much like it felt when I was using our Amiga. Whenever I have to use Windows ( thankfully, not often nowadays ) it feels wrong in so many ways. Come to think of it, the only thing I like about Windows is the Win32 API
Just like every summer, I am going through a huge productivity slump. I can't wait for Autumn. This time around I intent to try to deal with it though.
Thursday, 16 July 2009 1:37 am
