Is Smalltalk Still Relevant in the Industry?

Smalltalk is one of those programming languages that has sparked much debate among developers and industry professionals. Many wonder if Smalltalk is still used in the industry today, or if it has largely been replaced by other languages. This article delves into the current status of Smalltalk in the tech world, exploring its uses and why some people still find value in it.

The Legacy of Smalltalk

Smalltalk was first introduced in the 1970s by Alan Kay and his team of developers at Xerox PARC. It quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach, featuring an integrated development environment (IDE), object-oriented programming, and dynamic typing. Despite its early prominence, Smalltalk never really gained widespread adoption in the business world. One of the primary reasons is the transition to Objective-C, a language that was developed as a superset of C, incorporating Smalltalk-like messaging.

The Decline and Rise of Smalltalk

While Smalltalk itself didn't become a mainstream language, its influence can still be seen in modern programming. For instance, the predecessor to MacOS, NeXTSTEP, utilized Objective-C, which adapted Smalltalk's messaging system for a more traditional programming environment. This adaptation made it more accessible to developers familiar with C, which is why Objective-C became a more popular choice for development tasks.

The Continued Role of Smalltalk

However, investing in Smalltalk is not entirely obsolete. Some niche applications and custom environments still leverage its capabilities. For instance, Smalltalk is well-suited for prototyping, testing, and research environments where rapid development and flexibility are crucial. Modern frameworks like Pharo and VisualWorks continue to support developers who value the simplicity and power of the language.

Why Objective-C is a Better Candidate for Smalltalk-Like Features

Objective-C, while originating from C, was designed with Smalltalk-like features in mind. Its willingness to incorporate dynamic messaging and object-oriented programming made it a popular choice for iOS development, especially for developers who were already familiar with C. This adaptability allowed Objective-C to fill a gap in the market, providing a more accessible way to implement Smalltalk-like concepts without abandoning familiar syntax.

Modern Applications of Objective-C and Smalltalk

Even today, Objective-C and its modern successor, Swift, are widely used in Apple's ecosystem, contributing to the success of iOS and macOS applications. Following this lineage, we see that Objective-C was a better candidate than Smalltalk for modern programming. Both Swift and Objective-C have managed to bring modern programming concepts like prototyping and dynamic typing to the forefront.

The Future of Smalltalk and Its Legacy

While Smalltalk may not have achieved the same level of ubiquity as languages like Python or Java, its legacy continues to influence the tech world. Many developers appreciate its simplicity and power, especially in research and educational contexts. As technology evolves, Smalltalk's unique features may find even more niches where they can provide significant advantages.

In conclusion, while Smalltalk doesn't hold the same prominence it once did, its influence can still be seen in modern development practices, particularly through Objective-C and its successor, Swift. The language's innovative approach to programming continues to inspire and influence developers, ensuring its relevance in niche and research environments.