On: Why I Like Go

[pjmlp]

Contrary to what many young developers may think, C and C++ aren't the only languages with compilation to native code.

Already in 1987 Turbo Pascal 4.0 was compiling quite fast, Borland states around 34,000 lines/minute for the 5.5 version in 1989.

Similar compilation speeds are possible for languages with modules, since the early 80's.

Go's compilation speed is only news for someone that never used a module based language for systems programming like Modula-2 or Turbo Pascal, just to name two.

[stesch → pjmlp]

It doesn't matter if somebody knows Turbo Pascal 4.0 or Modula 2 if you can't use it.

We are repeating history because the old ways were forgotten or replaced.

[ufo → stesch]

What he was trying to say is that you shouldn't "design for fast compilation". You should design the language to allow modularity and fast compilation will naturally follow.

[pjmlp → stesch]

> It doesn't matter if somebody knows Turbo Pascal 4.0 or Modula 2 if you can't use it.

Some Modula-2 compilers:

http://www.modula2.org/adwm2/

http://plas.fit.qut.edu.au/gpm/

http://www.modulaware.com/

http://www.excelsior-usa.com/xdsx86.html

Modern Turbo Pascal compatible compilers:

http://www.freepascal.org/

http://www.mikroe.com/mikropascal/avr/

http://turbopascal.org/

http://www.embarcadero.com/products/delphi

It is just a matter to look for them.