D and the world

[Howard Berkey]

bcd.gen does a reasonable job at generating bindings to C and C++ libraries:

http://www.dsource.org/projects/bcd

Howard


Daniel Giddings Wrote:

> If something like SWIG could generate glue code for D it would be a 
> major boost for the language. Sure the produced bindings may not be the 
> most efficient way of using a C++ library, but it would open a way for 
> people to migrate towards D using existing C++ code and would make many 
> libraries available with little effort.
> 
> janderson wrote:
> > Its about time for another round of how D can conquer the world.
> > 
> > The way I see it D has 2 options, provide an easy way for C++ users to 
> > switch over or become D.net.  The problem is, it is extremely 
> > impracticable to switch over to D because:
> > 
> > 1) Everything is already in C++.  It would take months to switch over. 
> > Time that no one has.
> > 2) Many API's are in C++.  Porting is too dam time consuming.  There are 
> > so many API's that companies use, it is impossible to have them all ported.
> > 3) Learning.  People are resistant to learning new things.  I think this 
> > hurdle is easiest to jump if the other 2 are in place.
> > 
> > The C++ option:
> > 
> > There are several ways this could be done however all would be most 
> > effective.
> > 
> > 1) Provide an easy way to link directly with C++ (preferably MSVC), such 
> > that we can write in C++ an D simultaneously and without having to write 
> > wrapper code.
> > 
> > 2) Provide a way to import C++ APIs that takes practically no time to 
> > implement.
> > 
> > 3) Provide a wizard that will convert a C++ project to D.  It needs to 
> > be so easy, you don't have to even think about it.
> > 
> > This seems like its asking for a lot.  However a month or 2 was spent 
> > setting up D so it could be integrated with C++ within a couple of 
> > clicks, it would pay huge dividends.  This would mean that it would be 
> > much easier for anyone at a C++ factory to convince managers of D's cost 
> > befits.
> > 
> > I think many C++ programmers are looking for a better alternative 
> > however they can't switch to D because of the afore mentioned problems. 
> >  If this was done right, you could practically convert many of the C++ 
> > community. Not unlike C++ did to C. I doubt you'll get many C converts 
> > though because most of the ones remaining can't leave C for other reasons.
> > 
> > 
> > D.Net option:
> > 
> > I think may people are turning to C# because it has many of the features 
> > D provides.  With products like XNA and a decent development 
> > environment, developers are embracing C#.   Providing a version of D 
> > that works with net (that was in development ages ago), would give D a 
> > foothold for the next generation of programmers.  I do however think 
> > that D will be a harder sell on this platform.
> > 
> > Final comments
> > 
> > It may be possible for D to find its way into main stream by a nitch 
> > market however I think the chances here are low.  Of course one possibly 
> > here is the mobile phone industry.  Even so, D runs the risk of being a 
> > one-time-wonder that is dependent on the phone companies continued support.
> > 
> > Note that I discount Java because there is less overlap in 
> > functionalities.  Furthermore note that my point of view is from the 
> > game industry and the situation may be completely different for business.
> > 
> > So if D wants to become big (say in the next year), I think some time 
> > invested in supporting C++ is its best bet.
> > 
> > -Joel