They say they want to convert _existing_ C based libraries. Could be useful in some scenarios, but it sounds more like an academic exercise. We've seen the same for converting C code to the JVM. It never took hold.
Upvoted because that's funny, but you are missing the purpose which according to the site is:
to assess the level of community interest in reusing existing C and C++ libraries in Web applications that run on Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR.
In that context, it makes sense. I've had to re-write certain geometry routines that I could only find written in C/C++, and there are other graphic libraries that would be excellent to tap into when writing a complex Flash application, e.g. http://pixlr.com/
Makes you wonder if there was another reason - e.g. they had an internal reason to get c/c++ running on the VM - then they figured they might as well open source it.
Porting C/C++ video decoding libraries such as ogg theora to flash could be useful.
I imagine that being able to use libraries like that without requiring explicit support for it in the VM could open up some new possibilities. Not to mention the compatibility should be pretty good if it's a direct port.
Since they've stated they're heading for all Flash-based software in a few years (no more desktop), they probably more or less have to port all their apps to Flash. Ugh.
Yeah, it's just that simple. Game over, all you massively popular languages, because lisp has arrived!
The primary reasons to use one programming language over another are its libraries, its community (documentation, examples, etc), followed by its expressive power. In other words, just because Lisp is so badass does not mean it will dominate. That's like claiming that your new amazing EBay clone will be a big hit. In both cases, you're fighting the massive inertia of huge network effects.
Well, Clojure has access to any JVM library. And thus has nice threading (as well as a model of it's own, as I understand; I haven't used it that much.) That's why it's getting so much attention.
Also, running a VM on a VM was definitely a joke. It'd be a horrible idea beyond belief.
Wow, what a stuck-up response to a serious question.
My point is, market forces drive innovation. "Flash is proprietary" -- in what possible way is that bad? Most of the luxuries of life are proprietary. Humanity is better for having the concept of "proprietary".
Imagine how you'd feel if someone was saying, "Viaweb must die. Viaweb is evil. Viaweb is proprietary.". It would sound rediculous. And yet, Viaweb was a platform, just like Flash. So ask yourself, why does that sound rediculous? Could it be that there is some pent-up anger or frustration with Adobe and Microsoft in particular, and that anger is distorting our ability to look at the situation objectively? I don't know. I personally think Microsoft has added a lot of real value over the years, and that the world is better with them than without them.
Also, I don't like feeling as if I'm in a roomful of zealots. Please make thoughtful continutions to Hacker News.
if viaweb were acting as a mini-monopoly back in their day, then yes, i think "viaweb must die" might have very well been heard at the time, and with good reason.
adobe is showing every sign of desiring exactly the sort of monopoly with flash that microsoft created with windows. given the damage that monopoly did to the tech sector, i consider this something worth getting worked up over.
