| I can only speak for myself: 1. It is so big. 2. It still largely depends on GC (less important actually) It keeps adding features, but adding features isn't what makes a language worth using. In fact, that's one of the least attractive things about C++ as well. So my guess: 1. It betted wrong on GC trying to compete with C++. 2. After failing to get traction, kept adding features to it – which felt a bit like there was some feature that would finally be the killer feature of the language. 3. Not understanding that the added features actually made it less attractive. 4. C++ then left the GC track completely and became a more low level alternative to, at which point D ended up in a weird position: neither high level enough to feel like a high level alternative, nor low level enough to compete with C++. 5. Finally: the fact that it's been around for so long and never taking off makes it even harder for it to take off because it's seen as a has-been. Maybe Walter Bright should create a curated version of D with only the best features. But given how long it takes to create a language and a mature stdlib, that's WAY easier said than done. |
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