Developer Voices Building A Programming Language From Its Core (with Peter Saxton)
Aug 7, 2024
In this discussion with Peter Saxton, an expert in programming languages and abstract syntax trees (AST), listeners discover how the EYG language redefines programming. Peter explains the significance of focusing on ASTs rather than traditional syntax. He delves into balancing functional purity with practicality in EYG's design, explores type systems and row types, and highlights the ease of building interpreters with AST. The conversation also touches on innovative tools like Gleam for rapid prototyping, showcasing the dynamic future of programming languages.
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Language Essence
- A programming language's essence isn't just syntax, but its features and ecosystem.
- Peter Saxton argues that a language's core lies in its abstract syntax tree (AST).
Go Debugging Experience
- Peter Saxton's motivation for EYG stemmed from debugging Go code.
- Sneaking network access deep within business logic, bypassing the functional core, highlighted the need for stricter guarantees.
Elm's Approach to Side Effects
- Elm's approach separates code into no side effects or any side effects.
- Peter Saxton believes that better approaches for effect management exist.