Paul Krill
Editor at Large

Smalltalk-inspired Pharo language adds 64-bit support

news
Jan 23, 20192 mins

Simple, minimal, object-oriented Pharo 7.0 is available in 64-bit versions for Linux, MacOS, and soon Windows

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Pharo 7.0, “the most significant release yet” in the words of the Pharo project team, was released January 22, bringing a new launcher, an improved Git client, an IoT toolkit, and 64-bit versions for Linux and MacOS. A 64-bit version for Windows is available in a technical preview. 

Emphasizing simplicity and immediate feedback, Smalltalk-like Pharo is billed as a minimal, reflective object language. The 64-bit version of Pharo 7.0 improves performance and stability and is recommended for Linux and MacOS developers.

Pharo 7.0 also offers a new version of the Pharo Launcher tool for managing distributions and accessing Jenkins builds. A new build process, meanwhile, supports full bootstrap from sources, enabling production to specific micro-images. Also new and improved in Pharo 7.0:

  • An improved version of the Iceberg Git client, which is the default CMS.
  • PharoThings, tools for building Internet of Things applications in small devices.
  • An improved UnifiedFFI (unified foreign function interface), which now works properly on 64-bit Windows.
  • Calypso replaces Nautilus as the new system browser, offering remote capabilities and advanced browsing capabilities. 

Pharo features an IDE, library, and a set of external packages. Coding is also supported in the debugger, which allows developers to step through code, create methods, and restart the execution of methods. Pharo is intended to be simple to use and provides immediate feedback.

You can download the Pharo Launcher tool, which provides a complete working environment, from pharo.org.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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