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by harveywi 3296 days ago
Frustrated Scala users take note: Idris can compile to JVM bytecode (https://github.com/mmhelloworld/idris-jvm), JavaScript (displacing Scala.js), and native code (displacing Scala Native). Idris may be a very good choice for a post-Scala language.

One thing that I find strange, though, is that some of the most prolific Scala developers who are critical of the language seem to stick to languages such as Haskell/Eta and PureScript. Maybe it's the immaturity of the Idris ecosystem.

2 comments

What about non-frustrated Scala users, should they drop Scala and Scala.js in favor of an effectively experimental language with zero industry adoption?

Post-Scala is already under way with the new compiler, Dotty[1], which will replace present day Scala.

[1] https://github.com/lampepfl/dotty

Non-frustrated Scala user here. I recommend you not switch in that case.

You'll have to admit though: the greatest strength and weakness of Scala is Java.

How does Idris' Java compatibility compare? Simply compiling to the JVM is nice, but unless it can cleanly interoperate with the rest of the Java ecosystem, it simply cannot take the place of something like Scala.
I recently experimented with the Idris JavaScript backend and it is not ready for prime-time. In particular, the FFI doesn't handle functions well. I was unable to call into Idris code from JavaScript which is a deal-breaker, IMO.