The Threadiverse is growing again, this time offering an effort to build a new Lemmy replacement from scratch, with API compatibility.

Seems like an interesting effort. A developer is building an alternative Java-based backend to Lemmy’s Rust-based one, with the goal of building in a handful of different features. The dev is looking at using this compatibility to migrate their instance over to the new platform, while allowing the community to use their apps of choice.

  • Skull giver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nlEnglish
    241·
    10 months ago

    I think quicker feature development makes some sense, because there are more Java developers in the world and not many Java developers care to learn Rust. It’s easier to get contributions in more popular languages.

    Rust is also awfully uptight about doing every little aspect right, which can be a bit annoying when iterating on program design, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience writing Rust code.

    • deegeese@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      299·
      10 months ago

      I’m a Java developer and I would much rather pick up Rust to join an active project than try to rebuild something that already works using a less-marketable language.

      • sik0fewl@kbin.social
        151·
        10 months ago

        Sure, but it’s a lot more work for you to get to a point where you can be an active contributor.

        • deegeese@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          910·
          10 months ago

          Is it really a lot of work for an experienced dev? I can pick up most new languages in a day or 2 unless it’s a total paradigm shift.

          • sik0fewl@kbin.social
            20·
            10 months ago

            1-2 days is enough to learn the basics, but I doubt you’ll be as nearly as productive as with something you’ve been using for years. Keep in mind that new languages also mean new frameworks, etc, some which take years to actually master, but at least months to get a good handle on them.

            Also, from my understanding, Rust is a bit of a paradigm shift.

          • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.worldEnglish
            8·
            10 months ago

            Yeah but there’s a big difference between having “picked up” a new language and being on the level where you can viably add useful code to a distributed federated deployed platform.

            I have 12 years in Java by now, I’m fairly confident with it. Rust, yeah no, not for production code.

          • magic_lobster_party@kbin.social
            1·
            10 months ago

            Sure, anyone can pick up a new language or two over a weekend. That doesn’t mean they are confident enough to contribute to large scale programs with it. That takes much longer to learn.

    • kaffiene@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      Yeah I agree. Rust is an excellent language when you absolutely must be as safe as possible but don’t want garbage collection. But there is a level of precision required of developers which makes it slower to development in. Other languages like Java, Python and Go are all quicker to develop in. Java is much easier to refactor IMO