On Thursday, 13 February 2014 at 15:58:44 UTC, Steve Teale wrote:
I just happen to think D is a great language!
Thats not even up for debate, D IS GREAT! The problem is just convincing the rest of the world that it is, but thus is the task of the lucky few who have seen the light.
Jokes aside, I don't think making it possible to write D on a smartphone would help get D(or any language for that matter) into the hands of kids in the developing world. Today you can by a laptop now for the same price of a midrange smartphone with much more power. Though the smartphone has the advantage of the internet which is essentially required to do anything programing wise but it is certainly possible get the internet elsewhere. Although if we are talking about a developing country then I suppose they might not have the infrastructure to support landline.
In reality I think there are many other more difficult barriers to learning to program in a developing country. For one it is basically required to know english to become a proficient programer(almost all documentation is written in english). It requires ample amounts of free time and regular access to a computer with an internet connection, I don't think a smart phone would cut it. Also I think the cultivation "intellectual" skills require an environment that allows you to not have to worry about basic needs and just focus on developing the skill.
