Posted by askoh on Apr 29, 2017; 5:00pm
URL: https://forum.world.st/Smalltalk-Internet-Browser-tp4944879p4944902.html

Let me clarify that this browser is to enhance software development and not for mainstream use - at least not yet.

Imagine have the full power of Smalltalk IDE while browsing the internet. I click on a photo and run image processing on it to see if it is natural or artificial, recognize objects or people, etc. I can have my own algorithm to suppress ads or popups. I can invent and test security models. I can download and upload from within the environment. I can search the environment and web at the same time.

Indeed, Smalltalk lacks many technologies. But internet technologies are so so important we must have them ASAP. Having a GOAL to create a Smalltalk native Internet Browser (SIB) inside the environment will ensure we are not left behind. The synergy (IDE+SIB) will bring software development to the next level. Again it's something Smalltalk can pioneer. Every Smalltalk application will be web enabled automatically.

Javascript is popular because it is embedded into all internet browsers. Google intentionally embed Dart into Chrome. We can have Smalltalk in SIB. SIB will improve Smalltalk programming productivity.

We start out by embedding Chrome inside the IDE. Make them communicate well. We then port bit by bit to Smalltalk based on needs and priorities.

All the best,
Aik-Siong Koh