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PureScript VS Imba

Compare PureScript VS Imba and see what are their differences

PureScript logo PureScript

PureScript is a small strongly typed programming language that compiles to JavaScript.

Imba logo Imba

Take a whole lot of Ruby, a pinch of Python and some React, get Imba
  • PureScript Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-12-19

We recommend LibHunt PureScript for discovery and comparisons of trending PureScript projects.

  • Imba Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-26

PureScript features and specs

  • Strong Typing
    PureScript features a robust type system with advanced type inference, which can help catch errors at compile-time and increase code reliability.
  • Immutability
    PureScript promotes immutability by default, leading to more predictable and maintainable code, especially beneficial in concurrent applications.
  • JavaScript Interoperability
    PureScript can interoperate seamlessly with JavaScript, allowing developers to leverage existing JavaScript libraries and tools within PureScript projects.
  • Functional Programming
    PureScript is a purely functional language, offering all the advantages of functional programming such as higher-order functions, and a strong emphasis on functions as first-class citizens.
  • Safety and Predictability
    The language ensures safer and more predictable code by eliminating certain classes of runtime errors through compile-time checks.

Possible disadvantages of PureScript

  • Smaller Community
    Compared to more mainstream languages, PureScript has a smaller community, which can lead to fewer resources and libraries available.
  • Learning Curve
    PureScript's focus on functional programming and its type system can present a steep learning curve for developers unfamiliar with these concepts.
  • Tooling and Ecosystem
    The tooling and ecosystem around PureScript may not be as mature or extensive as those of more established languages, which can impact productivity.
  • Performance Overheads
    Due to its focus on immutability and the abstraction over JavaScript, some use-cases might face performance overheads compared to plain JavaScript.
  • Complexity in Interop
    Despite its capability to interoperate with JavaScript, managing the integration between PureScript and JavaScript can sometimes be complex and error-prone.

Imba features and specs

  • Reactive Programming
    Imba excels at handling dynamic front-end applications through its built-in reactive programming capabilities. This feature allows developers to create interactive interfaces efficiently, reducing the need for complex data-binding solutions.
  • Simplicity and Conciseness
    Imba’s syntax is clean and concise, which can lead to more readable and maintainable code. This simplicity helps in reducing boilerplate and improving productivity for developers familiar with the language.
  • Performance
    The language is designed with performance in mind, ensuring fast updates and rendering for web applications. Its unique approach to DOM updates can result in more efficient applications compared to traditional JavaScript frameworks.
  • Component Model
    Imba provides a strong component model that supports encapsulation and reusability, similar to other modern front-end frameworks. This allows developers to organize and manage complex applications more effectively.
  • Integrated Development Environment
    Imba is designed alongside its own powerful environment, supporting live reloading and efficient hot code replacement, which can greatly enhance the development experience.

Possible disadvantages of Imba

  • Limited Ecosystem
    Compared to more established languages and frameworks like JavaScript or React, Imba has a smaller ecosystem. Developers might find fewer libraries and community resources available, which can be a limitation for certain projects.
  • Learning Curve
    Developers who are accustomed to standard JavaScript or other popular frameworks might face a learning curve due to Imba’s unique syntax and concepts, which can impact adoption and ease of onboarding.
  • Niche Usage
    Being a relatively niche language, Imba might not be suitable for projects where team members are unfamiliar with it or where long-term maintenance by developers outside the initial team is expected.
  • Community Support
    The community around Imba is smaller, which can lead to less community support, fewer tutorials, and limited third-party integrations compared to more popular languages and frameworks.
  • Tooling Compatibility
    Imba may not have complete compatibility with some popular web development tools and libraries that are typically used in JavaScript ecosystems, potentially requiring workarounds or custom solutions.

PureScript videos

Claudia Doppioslash | Building a Graphical IDE in Elm/Purescript

More videos:

  • Review - Haskell Livecoding - Working on PureScript's IDE (3)
  • Review - PureScript Meetup #13 Type Classes

Imba videos

iMBA Program Overview

More videos:

  • Review - Gies Business Students Go In-Depth On iMBA Experience
  • Review - The iMBA on Coursera: A Top-Ranked Business School Degree That Fits Your Life

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PureScript and Imba)
Personal Finance
37 37%
63% 63
Financial Planner
43 43%
57% 57
Web Development
100 100%
0% 0
Finance
51 51%
49% 49

User comments

Share your experience with using PureScript and Imba. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Imba seems to be a lot more popular than PureScript. While we know about 41 links to Imba, we've tracked only 2 mentions of PureScript. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PureScript mentions (2)

  • Building Mystery Mansion Madness without a UI Framework
    Before 2012, all of my websites were made using HTML, CSS and a sprinkling of JS. Then, I went all-in on AngularJS, followed by React. I started using Typescript and then PureScript and learned more frameworks like Halogen and Concur. I even wrote my own UI framework called purescript-deku. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Incrementally Adopting PureScript in a JavaScript Web Application
    I hope you get a chance to try PureScript out in your JS projects! For more learning resources, you can check out PureScript website. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

Imba mentions (41)

  • Show HN: Node.js video tutorials where you can edit and run the code
    Something seems to be broken in the Imba website for me in both FF and Chrome for MacOS. When I go to the main website: https://imba.io/ Then click on the "Demo" button I get taken to the "Playground": https://imba.io/try/examples/apps/playground/app.imba There is no code on the page but the preview seems to work. Same thing with all of the other examples. They work in the Preview panel, but no code loads at all.... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Tailwind V4 Is Finally Out
    Personally I'm not interested in using Tailwind but my main criticism is that it didn't go far enough in its approach. Instead of using classes (which are extremely limiting) they should have created their own language like Imba did (inspired by TW). https://imba.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Show HN: Mizu.js – Bringing back simplicity in web apps creation
    Reminds me of hibiki html (now dead) https://www.hibikihtml.com And kind of like Imba: https://imba.io. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • If Not React, Then What?
    Look at Imba. If you are strong enough to avoid cargo culting and try things which aren't popular, they are some of the best ways to build frontend apps out there: https://imba.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Vanillajsx.com
    Imba is what anyone interested in this sort of thing should look at. I have no idea why it is not more popular. Maybe because JS devs falls for Faang marketing easily. https://imba.io/. - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PureScript and Imba, you can also consider the following products

ReasonML - ReasonML is a new face to OCaml that--when coupled with BuckleScript--makes web development easy...

Scrimba - Interactive coding screencasts created in an instant

Mint - Free personal finance software to assist you to manage your money, financial planning, and budget planning tools. Achieve your financial goals with Mint.

Haste - Decreases ping in video games.

Web Components - Native/Vanilla web components.

Scala.js - Build robust front-end web applications in Scala with Scala.js