Google Introduces JavaScript Alternative Called DART

Google today introduced a preview of Dart, a class based programming language that the company hopes will be used for the development of web applications.

Google said that Dart has the goals of providing a flexible, structured environment for app development, re-use familiar programming approaches to deliver a familiar and easy-to-learn programming language, as well as a toolset for "high-performance" apps that do especially well in web browsers.

To be executed, Dart code either requires a "native virtual machine" or it can be translated to JavaScript via a compiler that is driven by a JavaScript engine, which would defeat the purpose of a high-performance foundation that is clearly position to outgun JavaScript. The circumstance that Dart can shine through a virtual machine makes it somewhat comparable to Java, or other platforms that require additional tools and aren't supported directly by a browser - such as Flash or Silverlight. It isn't particularly easy pitching such an idea these days.

Dart is far from being complete at this time. Google said that it is currently providing basic libraries as well as tools for checking, compiling, and running Dart code. The platform will "evolve further" with developer participation, Google said.