Recs.
Updated
Dart is an application programming language that’s easy to learn, easy to scale, and deployable everywhere.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Easy to learn when coming from Java or Javascript
Dart syntax compared to Java, JavaScript, Python, and C#.
Pro Great async language support
Dart is a single threaded programming language. So if any piece of code blocks the execution of the program, the program practically freezes. To avoid this Dart makes use of asynchronous operations which let your program run without getting blocked. This is done through Future objects.
A Future is an object which represent a means for getting a value at a certain point in the future. A function may invoke a Future and when that happens, two outcomes can be achieved:
- The function is unable to return a value, so it queues up work to be done and returns an uncompleted Future object.
- Or later when a value is available to be returned, the Future object completes with that value.
Pro Transpiled JavaScript code works on all browsers
In Dart many browser differences (subtle differences and also missing features) are abstracted away or polyfilled. When Dart is transpiled to JS the output works on all supported browsers. There is usually no need to load polyfills or to consider browser differences during development. No need for libraries like jQuery to make the same code work the same on all browsers.
Pro Actively developed and maintained
Dart is actively developed and maintained by Google and used by the company, ensuring good project health (even if their plans for the language have changed slightly).
Pro A very clear well thought standard library
Out of the box, the developer gets core libraries to help with async, collections, strings, regexps, conversions, formats, file I/O, math, typed data, and more. This reduces the need to pull in various 3rd-party utilities and ensures that all Dart code looks and feels the same.
Pro A lot of tools are available to help in developing with Dart
Dart has a lot of tools available which help with developing Dart applications. Some examples of those tools include:
- pub - package and dependency management and build tool
- analyzer - static syntax analysis with linter, quick fixes, autocompletion support for easy IDE integration
- test - powerful and flexible testing framework and test runner
- dev_compiler - generate reusable JS instead of tree-shaken minified JS output (work in progress)
- dartfmt_ - source code formatter
- server-side VM
- observatory - a powerful tool for profiling and debugging running Dart code (for Dartium and Dart server code)
Pro Great standard library
Dart includes a truly comprehensive core library, making it unnecessary to include disparate, external resources for basic functionalities Other than reducing the need to pull in various 3rd-party utilities this also ensures that all Dart code looks and feels the same.
Out of the box, the developer gets core libraries to help with: async, collections, strings, regexps, conversions, formats, file I/O, math, typed data, and more.
Cons
Con Community isn't very healthy
One or so posts a day on the mailing list; 800ish github stars vs Purescript's 2800 and elm's 3190. Not a lot of developer impetus.
Con Lack of libraries
In comparison to Java and/or Javascript the amount of libraries is very small.
Con No operator function overloading
Using the same operator with different argument types is not possible.