When comparing Scala vs DM, the Slant community recommends Scala for most people. In the question“What is the best programming language to learn first?” Scala is ranked 27th while DM is ranked 72nd. The most important reason people chose Scala is:
The immutable values make it perfect for working with concurrency
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Immutable values
The immutable values make it perfect for working with concurrency
Pro Multiparadigm
Scala supports both Functional and Object Oriented styles of programming. Beginners can learn both paradigms without having to learn a new language, and experts can switch between the two according to what best suits their needs at the time.
Pro Type inference
Scala offers type inference, which, while giving the same safety as Java's type system, allows programmers to focus on the code itself, rather than on updating type annotations.
Pro Compiles to JVM bytecode
Aside from Java itself, Scala is by far the most popular of the many JVM languages. If you're developing for Android, or a similar JVM-only platform, or otherwise need out-of-the-box cross-platform compatibility, but the performance of a compiled language, Scala is the way to go.
Pro Very good online courses
On coursera you can find great introduction to Scala by Martin Odersky.
Pro Type inference leads to a simpler syntax
Pro Expressive functional programming abstraction for reusable and safe code
Pro Active development
DM and BYOND are constantly being developed and expanded, with feedback from the community, and Lummox as the lead developer.
Pro Active community
The BYOND community is helpful, and has been active for decades, so there are many solutions available. You can find many answers in the forums.
Pro Excellent documentation
Documentation is easy to learn, and can be found here.
Pro Quickly create online multiplayer games
Makes networking easy, so you can just make your game.
Pro Easy to learn
One of the easiest to learn languages. Similar to Python and C++.
Cons
Con Can be intimidating for beginners
Scala is an industrial language. It brings functional programming to the JVM, but not with a "start small and grow the language" perspective, but rather a very powerful language for professional programmers.
Con Way too complex for beginners
Even for seasoned programmers it's a difficult language.
Con Static type system inherits cruft from Java
The type system is too complicated yet still less powerful than Haskell's.
Con Proprietary language
DM is owned and developed by BYOND. As such, you will only be able to use it for software created using BYOND's software suite.