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Vala VS Dart

Compare Vala VS Dart and see what are their differences

Vala logo Vala

Vala is a new programming language that aims to bring modern programming language features to GNOME...

Dart logo Dart

A new web programming language with libraries, a virtual machine, and tools
  • Vala Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-21

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

  • Dart Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27

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

Vala features and specs

  • C-like Performance
    Vala compiles to C, which allows it to have performance characteristics similar to traditional C programs, providing efficient execution.
  • GObject Integration
    Vala is designed to work seamlessly with the GObject type system used in GNOME, making it a strong choice for GNOME application development.
  • Modern Syntax
    Vala features a modern and clean syntax similar to C# and Java, making it accessible to developers familiar with these languages.
  • Automatic Memory Management
    Vala provides memory management with reference counting and automatic cleanup, reducing the overhead associated with manual memory management.
  • Native Code Generation
    Since Vala compiles down to C, it can leverage existing C toolchains and produce native code without requiring an interpreter or VM.
  • Rich Ecosystem
    Developers can leverage a rich set of GObject-based libraries available in the GNOME ecosystem, enhancing productivity and functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Vala

  • Small Community
    Vala has a relatively small user community, which can result in limited resources, support, and documentation compared to more popular languages.
  • Error Prone Bindings
    Generating and maintaining Vala bindings for C libraries can sometimes be error-prone, potentially leading to runtime issues.
  • Limited Tooling
    Compared to more mainstream languages, Vala's tooling (IDEs, debuggers, etc.) can be limited, which might slow down development.
  • Language Specific Limits
    Some language features available in more mainstream languages might be missing or limited in Vala, reducing its appeal for certain applications.
  • Dependence on C Libraries
    Vala development often involves interfacing with C libraries, which can require a solid understanding of C and GObject, adding complexity.

Dart features and specs

  • Performance
    Dart is designed for optimal performance with its Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation, which allows it to compile to efficient native code.
  • Easy to Learn
    Dart's syntax is clear and closely resembling other popular languages like Java, JavaScript, and C#, making it relatively easy to pick up for developers familiar with those languages.
  • Strong Typing
    The language offers strong typing which allows for early detection of errors during development and helps in maintaining robust code.
  • Flutter Integration
    Dart’s seamless integration with Flutter makes it an excellent choice for cross-platform app development, enabling developers to write one codebase for both iOS and Android.
  • Hot Reload
    Dart, when used with Flutter, supports hot reload which speeds up the development process by allowing immediate reflection of changes without restarting the application.
  • Comprehensive Libraries
    Dart comes with a rich set of core libraries and packages, which provide extensive functionality without needing external dependencies.
  • Concurrency Support
    Dart provides robust support for asynchronous programming with features like Future and Stream, which simplify writing concurrent code.

Possible disadvantages of Dart

  • Relatively New Language
    Dart is relatively new compared to established languages like Java and JavaScript, meaning there can be fewer resources, tutorials, and a smaller community.
  • Limited Backend Development
    While Dart can be used for backend development with frameworks like Aqueduct and Shelf, it is not as mature or widely adopted as languages like Node.js, Python, or Java.
  • Tooling and IDE Support
    Dart does not have as extensive tooling and IDE support as some other more established languages, which could impact the development experience.
  • Ecosystem
    The ecosystem around Dart is not as large as those for other languages, meaning fewer third-party libraries, plugins, and tools might be available.
  • Small Talent Pool
    The adoption rate of Dart is lower compared to other languages, potentially making it harder to find experienced Dart developers.
  • Learning Curve
    Though similar to other languages, there is still a learning curve for adopting Dart, especially for developers who are more familiar with different programming paradigms.

Analysis of Dart

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Dart can be considered a good programming language for certain use cases.

Why this product is good

  • Dart is designed for client-side development, making it particularly suitable for building high-performance web and mobile applications.
  • It has a clean and easy-to-understand syntax, which is familiar to those who have experience with other C-based languages like Java, JavaScript, or C#.
  • Dart is the underlying language for Flutter, a popular framework for building cross-platform mobile applications, which means it benefits from strong support and integration with Flutter's robust ecosystem.
  • The language offers a great development experience with features like a strong static type system, asynchronous programming support, and comprehensive libraries.
  • Dart includes just-in-time (JIT) compilation for quick development cycles and ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation for fast, reliable production performance.

Recommended for

  • Developers who are working on cross-platform mobile applications using the Flutter framework.
  • Web developers seeking a language that offers fast compilation times and sound null safety.
  • Programmers looking for a modern, cohesive language with robust tooling and a strong core library.
  • Teams interested in a language that keeps elements consistent across web and mobile projects.

Vala videos

Vicious Attack Llama Apocalypse Review (VALA)

More videos:

  • Review - Vicious Attack Llama Apocalypse (VALA) Xbox One X Review - Twin Stick Llama
  • Review - Steve Madden VALA PUMPS review

Dart videos

Best Darts Of 2019 My Top Ten Favourites

More videos:

  • Review - Red Dragon 2020 World Champion Edition Peter Wright Darts Review 21g
  • Review - Winmau Michael van Gerwen Authentic 23g Darts Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Vala and Dart)
Programming Language
36 36%
64% 64
OOP
39 39%
61% 61
Generic Programming Language
Development
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Dart seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. 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.

Vala mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Vala yet. Tracking of Vala recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Dart mentions (1)

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