[REBOL] Re: CURL -- similar idea to REBOL?
From: brian:hawley at: 8-Aug-2001 15:17
Hi all,
At 10:11 AM 8/7/01 -0600, Carl Youngblood wrote:
>Slashdot just posted an article about a new language called
>CURL, which provides powerful client-side capabilities similar
>to REBOL. Although the language syntax is probably very
>different ffrom REBOL, I'd be interested to know if any of
>you have looked into this and/or tried it out.
>
>http://www.curl.com
Well, let's see...
Language Syntax:
Vaguely object-functional. Ugly, but not as much so as
the C family or (cringe) Perl. Reminds me of POV-RAY.
Language Model:
Somewhere between VID and NewtonScript, with some POV
thrown in for good measure. Specifications are written
in a style similar to VID. The object model is similar
to NewtonScript, dual inheritance and such. 3D stuff is
similar to POV-RAY. Overall, fewer capabilities than
any one of these (let alone all three). The feel of the
language is awkward, almost as if it were implemented
by Perl programmers. The FAQs on the site mostly deal
with understanding language weirdness and work-arounds
for what I would consider design flaws in the language.
Security model:
Similar to the Java or REBOL/View sandbox model, but
more strict. Worth looking at, especially for a /View
browser plugin.
Client-side Architecture:
Client-side browser plugin that "compiles" Curl source
or byte code into "display" code, a combination of HTML,
JavaScript, Java, Flash and DirectX code, which means
that you need all of these on the client side to use
Curl content, many megabytes.
Server-side architecture:
Curl content could be served up by a standard web server,
but since you pay for it by the download some way to keep
track of downloads and sending that data to Curl servers
is required. How this is accomplished is unclear on their
site. Perhaps Curl.com serves up the content, or perhaps
there is a module in your web server that sends them the
data, or perhaps the browser plugin does it. Unknown.
Developer tools:
Because of the awkwardness of the language, it is good to
have tools to generate the code without you having to see
it. They have many such tools.
As it is, I wouldn't suggest using Curl on your site unless
you are expecting your site traffic to generate enough cash
to cover the per-download charges. If you want accessibility
features on your site, forget it (and REBOL/View too).
The language could be implemented easily as a REBOL dialect
though the 3D facilities would be tough without the native
support. A REBOL dialect would be easier to use as well and
less ugly.
Overall, Curl would be a good thing to look at for ideas on
the REBOL browser plugin, particularly its security model,
development tools and seamless browser integration.
REBOL should be able to beat this one easily :)
Brian Hawley
