The Howdy Glossary

Smalltalk is a dynamically typed programming language developed in the 1970s by Adele Goldberg and David Robson at Xerox PARC. It was designed for teaching computer programming and object-oriented design, significantly influencing software engineering by introducing graphical user interfaces, integrated development environments, and object-oriented systems. Smalltalk's legacy includes pioneering concepts that have become foundational in modern software development practices.

The language introduced several unique features that have been influential in the field of software engineering, including support for object-oriented programming, dynamic typing, reflection capabilities, and live programming environments. Its emphasis on simplicity and readability, along with early adoption of graphical user interfaces and integrated development environments, set it apart as a groundbreaking language. These contributions have influenced the development of future programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, Ruby, and Scala.

Despite facing competition from other languages offering similar features in object-oriented programming and software development domains, Smalltalk maintains a significant legacy. It stands out due to its early focus on interactive development with live programming features and strong reflective capabilities. This makes it valuable not only for advanced programmers but also for beginners learning fundamental concepts of computer programming through an accessible interface. The combination of flexibility provided by dynamic typing and powerful debugging tools has cemented Smalltalk’s role as an innovator in graphical user interfaces and integrated development environments within the history of software engineering.