Smalltalk VS 4coder

• Pure Object-Oriented Language
  Smalltalk is consistently object-oriented. Everything is an object, including primitive operations, which simplifies the mental model for developers.
• Interactive Development Environment
  Smalltalk offers a rich, dynamic development environment with tools for live code updates and immediate feedback, enhancing productivity and experimentation.
• Simple Syntax
  The language has a small and easily understandable syntax, which makes it more accessible to beginners and allows developers to focus more on problem-solving.
• Dynamic Typing
  Smalltalk's dynamic typing allows for flexible coding and polymorphism, making it easy to write generic and reusable code components.
• Mature and Influential
  As one of the oldest object-oriented languages, Smalltalk has a rich history, influencing many modern languages like Java, Ruby, and Python.

Possible disadvantages

• Performance
  Smalltalk can suffer from slower performance due to its high level of abstraction and dynamic typing, which may not be suitable for compute-intensive applications.
• Niche Community
  The Smalltalk community is relatively small compared to more mainstream languages, which can limit resources, libraries, and support available for developers.
• Learning Curve
  While the syntax is simple, Smalltalk's unique development environment and paradigms can introduce a learning curve for developers coming from other languages.
• Limited Integration
  Interfacing Smalltalk with non-Smalltalk systems can be challenging, limiting its use in mixed technology environments without proper bridging mechanisms.
• Dynamic Typing Drawbacks
  While flexible, dynamic typing can also lead to runtime errors that are not caught at compile time, potentially making debugging more difficult.

• Customizability
  4coder is highly customizable, allowing users to tweak features and tailor the editor to suit specific development needs.
• Lightweight
  The editor is lightweight, providing a fast and responsive experience that is especially beneficial for older or less powerful machines.
• Keyboard-centric
  4coder is designed to be navigated and operated primarily through the keyboard, improving speed and efficiency for developers who prefer keyboard shortcuts over mouse interactions.
• Scriptable
  The editor supports scripting, enabling users to create plugins or automate workflows to enhance the development experience.
• Support for Large Codebases
  4coder handles large projects well, making it suitable for developers who work on sizable codebases.

Possible disadvantages

• Learning Curve
  Due to its emphasis on customizability and keyboard shortcuts, new users may face a steep learning curve to become proficient with 4coder.
• Lack of Built-in Features
  Compared to more established editors, 4coder may lack certain built-in features that users might expect, necessitating the creation or installation of scripts or plugins.
• Limited Community Support
  Being a niche tool, 4coder has a smaller community, which can limit the availability of community-contributed resources and support.
• Platform Restrictions
  4coder is primarily developed for Windows with limited or no support for other operating systems, which can be a limitation for developers using macOS or Linux.
• Paid Software
  4coder is not free, requiring users to purchase it, which may deter those accustomed to free editors or those on a tight budget.

No Smalltalk videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

4coder getting started tutorial

More videos

• Old version of offline Scratch that had a secret OS

  Also, it's not really an "operating system", nor was it implemented by the ST. It's just part of Squeak (you got the name right), the "engine" Scratch 1.x was made with (which lets you edit the code in the same window it's running in). Source: over 3 years ago

• Ask HN: Alternatives to organizing code in files and folders?

  Just downloaded https://squeak.org/ to play around with this concept. I wonder if there is already a modern tool/suite for Node/Python inspired by Smalltalk... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

• What are some important differences between the popular versions of OOP (e.g. Java, Python) vs. the purist's versions of OOP (e.g. Smalltalk)?

  AFAIK the major SmallTalk distributions are https://squeak.org/ and https://pharo.org/. I've heard that Pharo is more complex and "practical", while Squeak is more educational and beginner-friendly. But both stick to their roots with... Source: over 3 years ago

View more

• 4coder editor is now fully open source

  They are not on github, but there are builds available from itch.io as free downloads. https://4coder.itch.io/4coder. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

• Dev tools that don’t exist yet but really should

  You might want to check out 4coder: https://4coder.itch.io/4coder. Source: about 5 years ago

• Helix: a post-modern text editor

  > I’d like to have an editor as a library for which I could create modes/cli/behaviors myself I think 4coder[1] might be close to what you want. It's been popularized by being used in the HandMade Hero streams. [1]... - Source: Hacker News / over 5 years ago