CoRecursive: Coding Stories Tech Talk: Software as a Reflection of Values With Bryan Cantrill
Dec 18, 2018
Bryan Cantrill, CTO of Joyent and an expert in operating systems, argues that choosing programming languages and tools should align with personal values rather than seeking the 'best' option. He highlights the important trade-offs within languages like Rust and JavaScript, celebrating Rust’s memory safety. The conversation also touches on the historical significance of languages like Simula 4 and critiques proprietary trends, while advocating for diversity in tech choices to foster innovation. Cantrill's insights elevate how we think about technology decisions.
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Software Reflects Core Values
- Programming languages and software systems embody specific values that shape their design and trade-offs.
- The right tool for the job aligns the values of the language with the engineer and project's goals.
Node.js Values vs Joyent's
- Node.js embodies JavaScript's values focused on growth and accessibility over rigor and safety.
- Such values conflicted with Joyent's priorities on rigor and reliability, causing a parting of ways.
Go's Autocracy vs JavaScript's Freedom
- Go enforces many autocratic decisions prioritizing consistency and control, opposite JavaScript's permissiveness.
- Both languages fit their communities but don’t align with all developers' needs or values.
