InfoQ Homepage Runtimes Content on InfoQ
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Dynamic Language Roundup: Python's GIL Gets Overhauled but not Removed, Squeak Comes to Android
The Unladen Swallow project that aims to speed up Python has proposed to be merged into mainstream Python. One of Unladen Swallow's goals was to remove the GIL; a new implementation of Python's GIL by Antoine Pitrou will be fairer and less intrusive on multicore CPUs. Also: Squeak Smalltalk has been ported to Android.
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Ruby VM Roundup: 1.9.2 Gets DTrace Support, Rubinius 1.0 RC2 Adds Installers, IronRuby IDEs
Rubinius 1.0RC2 adds binary installers, while Ruby 1.9.2 will get DTrace support. IronRuby moves closer to 1.0 and SharpDevelop 3.1 gains IronRuby support. Also: WEBRick users should consider upgrading to the latest versions of Ruby 1.8.x and 1.9.1 because of a recently discovered vulnerability.
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Clojure 1.1 Adds Transients, Chunked Sequences for Efficiency
Clojure 1.1 RC1 is out and cuts the overhead of functional programming with a few new constructs: transients bring controlled mutability for persistent data structures; chunked sequences make lazy sequences more efficient. InfoQ takes a look at what makes these improvements work.
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Ruby 1.9.1 Update With Fix for Heap Overflow
Ruby 1.9.1-p376 is out, bringing with it an important fix for a heap overflow vulnerability, among many bug fixes for the 1.9.1 line.
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Rubinius 1.0 Brings MRI 1.8 Compatibility and Near Speed Parity
Rubinius has just released their first candidate for 1.0, bringing Ruby 1.8 compatibility and near speed parity. InfoQ talked to Evan Phoenix about what it took to get here and whether Rubinius will run Rails.
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Evented I/O for Javascript with Google V8-based Node.js
Node.js allows scalable ѕtandalone Javascript server programs by bundling Google's V8 with libraries for event-based I/O. InfoQ takes a look at what makes Node.js tick.
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MagLev Ruby VM Now Available, Brings GemStone's Persistence to Ruby
The long awaited MagLev Ruby implementation, based on GemStone Smalltalk, is now available in a public alpha release. While not quite ready to run Rails, it does support frameworks like Rack and Sinatra. MagLev comes with full support for GemStone's mature distribution and persistence features.
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Ruby VM Roundup: MacRuby 0.5 Beta 2 Adds AOT Tooling, Rubinius 0.13 Released
Beta 2 of MacRuby 0.5 improves compatibility and adds new tools for Ahead of Time (AOT) compilation and building standalone applications. Rubinius 0.13 was released with improved performance using LLVM, a JIT and a new compiler.
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Javascript as Compiler Target: Clamato, GWT Smalltalk, Python, Scheme
Improved VMs and ubiquity have made Javascript an interesting target for compilers. InfoQ takes a look at a few languages that compile to Javascript: Smalltalks Clamato and GWT Smalltalk, Python with pyjamas and Scheme with Moby-Scheme.
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Ruby VM Roundup: MacRuby Progress, IronRuby, Ruby 1.9.2 Delay
MacRuby is nearing its first RC for 0.5 and adds support for Grand Central Dispatch. A new IronRuby release is available, Ruby 1.9.2 might be delayed, and Rubinius joins the group of 1.8.7 compliant Ruby implementations.
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JRuby Roundup: 1.4 Features, JRubyConf Schedule, MLVM
JRuby 1.4 is coming up with 1.8.7 support and improved Java integration. First builds that bundle JRuby and MLVM are available. Also: JRubyConf's program has been announced - and some more seats are available.
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Ruby 1.9 Roundup: Ruby-debug on 1.9, Ruby Switcher, MacRuby
A first incarnation of ruby-debug support on 1.9 is now available. Ruby switcher makes it easy to run different Ruby versions in parallel. Also: MacRuby's experimental branch was merged into MacRuby Trunk.
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Future of the Threading and Garbage Collection in Ruby - Interview with Koichi Sasada
InfoQ caught up with the creator of Ruby 1.9.x's VM Koichi Sasada to talk about what's coming for Ruby 1.9.2, the state of the Global Interpreter Lock (or Global VM Lock) and what it'll take to get a generational GC in 1.9.x.
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DRYer CSS with LESS or Sass
LESS and Sass are Ruby tools that allow to reduce redundancy in CSS files by introducing variables, mixins, and other time proven language features into CSS. We take a look at how the two tools work and what they offer.
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Ruby VM Roundup: Ruby 1.9.2 Preview 1, Ruby Versions Site
Ruby 1.9.2 Preview 1 is now available and brings API improvements such as Method#parameters, GC optimization for long lived objects, and more. Also: to keep up to speed with Ruby implementations, David A. Black announced ruby-versions.net which provides a long list of MRI versions as well as JRuby, Rubinius and REE installations.