On Thu, 2004-01-29 at 11:11, Martin Berger wrote:
> > A "system" includes an application-server, a GUI, a database, a window

> please allow me to compare Ocaml and Java from the lofty perspective
> of a programming language theorist. both are mixed imperative/functional
> languages (like all others). what are the *essential* differences?
> 
> Ocaml has/Java doesn't have
> 
>    * sum types
>    * pattern matching as destructors for sum types
>    * full function types (not restricted to first-order like java)
>    * second-order types (will be added to java)
> 
> Java has/Ocaml doesn't have
> 
>    * reflection (maybe in ocaml, not sure at the moment)
> 
> there are probably other big differences, for example in the module system,
> but let's ignore those.

Java has 'inheritance is subtyping' which is bogus,
whereas Ocaml uses algebraic subtyping which is
well-principled.

Ocaml also has polymorphic functions, Java does not.
(virtual functins don't really count here ..:-)
I would say this is quite distinct from the typing
of the function's interface (to see this consider
a language like C++ or Felix where values are not boxed).

-- 
John Max Skaller, mailto:skaller@tpg.com.au
snail:25/85c Wigram Rd, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia.
voice:61-2-9660-0850. Checkout Felix: http://felix.sf.net




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