The Howdy Glossary

Candle is a programming language created by Douglas C. Schmidt at Washington University, tailored for developing systems with the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) in real-time and embedded environments. It features automated garbage collection, local or remote method invocation, exception handling, and support for distributed system requirements without needing additional middleware. The language's compiler technology generates highly efficient code that meets the determinism and predictability required by industries like aerospace and defense.

Its unique technical offerings include support for CORBA-specific requirements within real-time and embedded systems. Candle distinguishes itself with features such as automated garbage collection and efficient code generation that preserve essential qualities like determinism and predictability, which are crucial in sectors demanding high reliability. This specialization positions Candle as a powerful tool for developing robust systems in demanding environments compared to other languages like Ada, C++, or Java, each of which has its own advantages but may not offer the same level of integration with CORBA.

The primary audience for Candle includes developers working on real-time and embedded systems where CORBA plays a significant role. Industries such as aerospace and defense benefit from its capabilities due to their need for efficiency, reliability, and predictability in system development processes. By eliminating the need for additional middleware while providing comprehensive support for distributed system requirements through highly efficient code generation, Candle offers a streamlined solution catering specifically to developers who seek to build reliable systems in challenging embedded environments leveraging CORBA.