Google has recently released the first version of DART, a simplified Object-Orientated Language for the web. It is bascially a language that compiles into Javascript, or can be run from a Virtual Machine.
DART aim at easing the programming of web apps across all devices, from small processing power to powerful servers. It is also very scalable, simplifying the development of small app but also allowing the development of large scale web app.
Lars Bak, Software Engineer at Google describes:
- Create a structured yet flexible language for web programming.
- Make Dart feel familiar and natural to programmers and thus easy to learn.
- Ensure that Dart delivers high performance on all modern web browsers and environments ranging from small handheld devices to server-side execution.
Since that nowadays, more and more processing is being handle Client side (using Javascript mainly), I can see the benefit of using a language that would improve the development time on the growing demand for client side apps (eg. Browser based mobile apps).
On the other hand, it’s another language released in the web jungle and it would only become relevant if the majority of browsers and devices are supported it. As usual, the battle between Internet giants forces each one out to push their own platform, until one finally proves being best and widely used.
Considering the growing trend for web apps, I think such a language can have a bright future.
References:
googlecode.blogspot.com/2011/10/dart-language-for-structured-web.html