Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by saghm 2934 days ago
> IMO Swift is a language written by a compiler guy to solve compiler problems.

I'm not convinced; the examples you give require _more_ work for the compiler writer, not less. In general, a stronger type systems means that the compiler has to do more.
2 comments
jkulubya 2934 days ago
I see it in the sense that if the target for both compilers is to produce a correct program, then that target is much easier to achieve with more information (and less assumptions) passed in the source code by the programmer (ie Swift).
link
mpweiher 2934 days ago
> require _more_ work for the compiler writer

Exactly. In Objective-C, the compiler can't do much, which is kind of a bummer if you are a compiler guy. Chris is a compiler guy.

Consider Swift a kind of public works program for your local compiler team.

link