Dart -- where to start?

[Si Dunn]

I'm awash in programming classes right now: JavaScript, Ruby, Node.js, HTML/CSS. Others are on my to-learn list. And there seems to be no end to the list of languages. What's the biggest advantage Dart might offer me if I chose to take it up?

[Chris Buckett]

If you're already familiar with coding Java, then you'll find coding Dart a breeze due to it's class based nature. You can write Dart code that looks almost like Java. Example:

class Animal {
  int legs; // public field
  String _name; // private property
  String get name => _name; // getter
  set name(value) => _name = value; // setter 

  Animal(this.legs) {       // constructor, automatic initialization
     name = "Nameless";
  }
}

class Dog extends Animal {   // inheritance
  Dog() : super(4) {
    name = "Fido";
  }
}

main() {
  Animal spider = new Animal(8);
  spider.name = "Incy Wincy";
  print(spider.legs); // 8

  Dog dog = new Dog();
  print(dog.legs);  // 4
  print(dog.name); // Fido

  var otherDog = new Dog();  // var also works...

  query("#myDivId").innerHtml = dog.name; // update something in the browser...
}

You get the advantages of JavaScript (ie, browser-based) + jquery (consistent access to the DOM with the dart:html library), node.js (Dart has a server-side VM as well), and sane library and packages.
With regards to Ruby, Dart has some of the similar functionality, especially around "noSuchMethod" - which is similar to Ruby's method_missing (which helps with much of the magic behind Rails).

So, Java-like productivity in the language, javascript+jquery access to the browser, nodejs like Dart VM on the server side. What's not to love

[Si Dunn]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I like what I see. I'll definitely put Dart on my to-learn list.