Comparison of Three Major Programming Languages with Smalltalk

In terms of ease of learning, type safety, performance, productivity, and ecosystem.

Python

Similarities Between Python and Smalltalk

• Both are based on byte code execution and virtual machines.
• Both are dynamically typed.

Differences Between Python and Smalltalk

• Python has many warts; Smalltalk is the simplest, purest, most consistent language.
• Python is heavily oriented as a procedural scripting language. Its OOP implementation is sloppy.
• Smalltalk conveniently supports live programming and live debugging.
• Smalltalk is far more productive for programmers.
• There is one flavour of Python; there are several different flavours of Smalltalk.
• Python has a much larger ecosystem.

Java

Similarities Between Java and Smalltalk

• Both are based on byte code execution and virtual machines.
• Both are fundamentally object-oriented.

Differences Between Java and Smalltalk

• Java is big and complex; Smalltalk is the simplest, purest, most consistent language.
• Java is statically typed; Smalltalk is dynamically typed.
• Smalltalk conveniently supports live programming and live debugging.
• Smalltalk is far more productive for programmers.
• There is one flavour of Java; there are several different flavours of Smalltalk.
• Java has a much larger ecosystem.

C++

Similarities Between C++ and Smalltalk

• Both are fundamentally object-oriented.

Differences Between C++ and Smalltalk

• C++ is a huge, complex language; Smalltalk is the simplest, purest, most consistent language.
• C++ is statically typed; Smalltalk is dynamically typed.
• C++ compiles to fast native code.
• Smalltalk conveniently supports live programming and live debugging.
• Smalltalk is far more productive for programmers.
• There is one flavour of C++; there are several different flavours of Smalltalk.
• C++ has a much larger ecosystem.

Postscript

Smalltalk’s greatest weakness is its ecosystem. That’s because of two reasons:

1. Smalltalk does not come in one flavour but several…open source Pharo, Cincom Smalltalk, Instantiations VAST, GemTalk GemStone/S. Lesser flavours include Squeak, Cuis Smalltalk, GNU Smalltalk, Dolphin Smalltalk. Smalltalk faces the same problem as Linux.
2. Smalltalk’s user community isn’t large enough yet to support a large ecosystem. Building community size takes time.

Smalltalk’s greatest strength is its productivity. That’s because of two reasons:

1. Smalltalk’s live programming and live debugging capability. Its image-based development model is also a major factor.
2. Smalltalk’s simple, elegant syntax and low cognitive overhead.

Smalltalk is a good choice for software developers who favour low cognitive overhead and high productivity (typically 2–3X faster than in whatever language you’re using).