Ask HN: What software stack to select for my project (a modern retro computer)?
3 comments
Your concept looks nice, it reminds me a bit of the Lisperati: https://www.hackster.io/news/the-lisperati1000-is-a-cyberdec...
So, did you consider Lisp or maybe Smalltalk? Plan 9 or Inferno might also be options.
Plan 9 comes in different variants, the "classic" one (with a Raspberry Pi port by Richard Miller) or 9front, an Inferno porting tutorial can be found at https://github.com/yshurik/inferno-rpi
Lisp and Smalltalk can run with or without Linux underneath, e.g. on the Raspberry Pi.
Bare-metal Lisp is available with interim: http://interim-os.com
Finally, bare-metal Smalltalk is available in my crosstalk system: https://github.com/michaelengel/crosstalk
Of course, Lisp and Smalltalk can also run hosted under Linux, e.g. using Squeak (https://squeak.org), Pharo (https://pharo.org) or InterLisp (https://github.com/Interlisp/medley).
Or - a crazy idea - build an emacs-only machine. That would be fun! :)
So, did you consider Lisp or maybe Smalltalk? Plan 9 or Inferno might also be options.
Plan 9 comes in different variants, the "classic" one (with a Raspberry Pi port by Richard Miller) or 9front, an Inferno porting tutorial can be found at https://github.com/yshurik/inferno-rpi
Lisp and Smalltalk can run with or without Linux underneath, e.g. on the Raspberry Pi.
Bare-metal Lisp is available with interim: http://interim-os.com
Finally, bare-metal Smalltalk is available in my crosstalk system: https://github.com/michaelengel/crosstalk
Of course, Lisp and Smalltalk can also run hosted under Linux, e.g. using Squeak (https://squeak.org), Pharo (https://pharo.org) or InterLisp (https://github.com/Interlisp/medley).
Or - a crazy idea - build an emacs-only machine. That would be fun! :)
Thank you for the comment and suggestions. I'm not very familiar with Lisp... so I was considering an imperative language with easy to learn syntax: javascript, lua, or python.
So like the Commander X16 then? It's basically a retro modern computer with immediate boot to BASIC coding mode.
https://www.commanderx16.com
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Commander_X16
https://www.commanderx16.com
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Commander_X16
The difference is that coralmicro will run on modern hardware (e.g. small SBC similar to raspberry pi)
8. C++ + Qt. (no X)
9. Rust + Slint (bare meta or Linux)
9. Rust + Slint (bare meta or Linux)
I need your advice in selecting the software stack for an educational, boot-to-code computer. The computer will be an AIO with a keyboard, screen and a Linux board with just-enough CPU to run the coding environment.
The intent is that eventually in the future to turn the computer in a commercial product that will come bundled with a coding book that will teach coding to young audiences and enthusiasts. E.g. a modern-retro computer. Below are a few mockups and even a possible ad:
Pic1: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FqZl4tNWAAEVICB?format=jpg
Pic2: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fo-QP-MX0AEOjUJ?format=jpg
Pic3: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fo-QP-PXEAIGSn4?format=jpg
The computer will offer a simple coding editor, a language (TBD) with a nice API for drawing shapes, put sprites, etc. on a graphical canvas.
Now, back to software stack that will power the coding environment (editor, menus, etc.) and a language interpreter (e.g. JavaScript).
Main requirement from software stack is to run on a low-powered Linux SBC and boot in under 5 seconds to coding environment.
I’m considering the following options:
1. Dart + Flutter + Skia (no X)
2. C# + Avalonia + Skia (no X)
3. Kotlin + Compose for Desktop + Skia (no X)
4. Pascal + Ultibo (no Linux)
5. C + LVGL (no X)
6. Vala + GTK (Linux w/ X)
7. HTML5 (Linux w/X and Chromium engine).
What do you recommend?
P.S. Looking forward to your recommendations regarding features of the coding platform. My intent is that experience to be similar to fantasy consoles (but high-res) or to codeguppy.com environment.