Why Learning Smalltalk Before Other Languages is Crucial for Mastering Object-Oriented Programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm that revolves around the idea of objects which are instances of classes that have their own properties, behaviors, and data structures. Smalltalk, being a pure object-oriented language, is often recommended as a cornerstone for learning OOP, offering a deep understanding of its core principles. This article explores why learning Smalltalk is beneficial and how it sets the foundation for understanding other similar languages.

The Essence of Object-Oriented Programming

At its core, Object-Oriented Programming is all about message-passing. In this paradigm, objects communicate with each other through methods, each maintaining its own state and behavior. This is notably exemplified by Smalltalk, a language where every piece of code is an object, and every object can contain methods.

Unlike languages like Java or C, which are hybrid languages and can be used to write programs that look and feel like those written in lower-level languages, Smalltalk forces you to write code in a truly object-oriented manner. This discipline is crucial for mastering OOP, as it helps you think in terms of objects and their interactions.

Introduction to Smalltalk

Smalltalk is a pure object-oriented language, meaning that every entity in the program is an object. This deeply ingrained OOP approach ensures that you are constantly thinking and coding in an OOP mindset. It eliminates the need to write code as if you were still using lower-level languages, which can often result in messy, procedural code.

By working with Smalltalk, you are pushed to create well-defined objects that encapsulate behavior and data. This practice is essential for developing a strong understanding of OOP concepts such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Without this foundation, learning other languages that support OOP (though not as purely) can feel like a step backward, as many of these languages allow for more procedural and functional programming styles.

Why Smalltalk is Recommended

Many recommend starting with Smalltalk because it is one of the purest object-oriented languages available. Unlike languages such as C, Python, or Ruby, which may support multiple paradigms and offer features that can confuse and dilute the OOP experience, Smalltalk requires that you use OOP principles to write your code.

Take, for example, C . While it supports OOP, it also retains features from structured and functional programming. This can be beneficial for those who need to work with legacy code, but it can also be confusing for those learning OOP for the first time. Smalltalk, on the other hand, is designed to be fully object-oriented, making it an ideal language for beginners to learn the fundamentals of OOP.

Commercial Relevance and Beyond

After a dedicated period with Smalltalk, transitioning to a more commercially relevant language such as C can be highly beneficial. C is widely used in industries such as embedded systems, game development, and system-level programming, offering a direct path to commercial applications. However, if your primary goal is to deepen your understanding of OOP, you might want to focus on using a language that fully embraces OOP principles without adding unnecessary complexity.

Pharo, an open-source Smalltalk environment, is a great place to start. It provides a modern and active community, along with powerful tools and features that make learning OOP both fun and effective. By mastering the basics of OOP in a pure environment, you can then apply these concepts to more complex languages that offer a mix of paradigms.

The Future of OOP

While OOP has been the dominant paradigm for several decades, there is a growing need for a new approach that integrates the principles of OOP with massive multi-parallelism (MMP). In MMP, software is defined in terms of performant, reliable units of work that can run in parallel, taking into account dependencies, security, and life-time.

Current languages, although they support OOP, are not fully equipped to handle the complexities of MMP. Frameworks and libraries can help, but a new language that fully embodies these principles would be a significant advancement. Until such a language is developed, the best way to learn OOP remains through dedicated, pure OOP languages like Smalltalk.

In conclusion, learning Smalltalk before other languages is crucial for mastering the principles of OOP. Smalltalk's pure object-oriented nature ensures that you develop a deep understanding of OOP concepts, making it easier to apply these principles to more complex languages. As programming continues to evolve, the importance of a strong foundation in OOP is undeniable, and Smalltalk remains an excellent choice for building this foundation.