On Fri, Feb 04, 2005 at 11:13:08PM -0800, Kenneth Knowles wrote:
[...]
> The mainstream languages are that way for two reasons: 
> (1) They filled a niche at a key moment.  This happens about once a decade, and
> by no means selects the "best" language.
> (2) They are entrenched (by #1).  When this happens to your language it freezes
> and you have to look elsewhere for the cutting edge.
> 
> So it all depends on your goals.  Personally, I would prefer for something like
> SML to become mainstream, because it is already a relic.  I'd like to see O'Caml
> continue as it is - an enormous advantage for those small companies and
> individuals who are nimble and adventurous enough to use it, and a reasonably
> researchful language.

Yes, I agree here.
Better to have - as small company or especially as single developer -
the advantage of a growing, excellent language and not have many
others who also use it.

Ciao,
   Oliver