Cobra Forums

Hello!
I’m new here, but discovered Cobra language more than a year ago. Until now it is (in my opinion) one of the best designed programming languages I ever used. For the last months I couldn’t get much experience with it, but now I want to start some bigger projects. But it is difficult to get it right. Most of the language features are spread over a dozen How-Tos and mostly not explained, just used in source code. The language reference in the wiki is also far from being complete. It’s a pity that I have to search, try and fail for the correct commands. In most cases I can find the correct solution after looking a bit deeper. But sometimes I think „is it my fault or is there a bug in the compiler?“

The current problem is such an example. I want to use a struct instead of a class but it won’t compile, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong, for it works in C# code. In the meantime I downloaded the newest Cobra version and now it works. Shall I be happy or disappointed that something that easy didn’t work until probably last month?

I think, I just miss a good overview about all language features. The How-Tos are great, if you need information about a specific topic (like properties or lists), but they won’t give you a step-by-step overview about all language features. Maybe this isn’t necessary because you could have a look in the language reference though not every feature is explained. Maybe you could provide an alphabetical (or better: topical, then alphabetical) and complete(!) list of all reserved words? I still – after several months of occasionally use of Cobra – think I don’t know about all features just because I never found it in an index or in an example.

Thanks for the compliment.

As you pointed out there is a wiki containing an index of LanguageTopics. When you have figured something out, I would love to see you update the wiki with your discovery. I already have made many wiki contributions along with Mike Hopkirk aka "hopscc", but as you point out, we need more. (Your wiki login is the same as your forums login btw.)

To further lead by example, as well as address your point about keywords, I have added a new Keywords page.

One thing to keep in mind is that Cobra is a volunteer open source project. While I would love to be sponsored to work on it full time, that has not happened yet. I work on it part time for free and will continue to move the project forward in combination with other people's contributions.

Regarding structs, your question was probably rhetorical, but I'll answer anyway for the purpose of providing some perspective on open source projects. You should be happy that the problem was fixed without any effort on your part such as a bug report or patch. Every such occurrence is a freebie. I receive them too on projects such as Mono and Continuum (although my expectations for Mono are higher because it's backed by a company with a full time team on it).

If it makes you feel any better, we're rarely adding features any more, but instead just focusing on fixes and minor refinements.

Thanks for the feedback.

You’re right, this is a community project. I try to find the information I’m looking for myself und then add it to a Wiki page. Then other people or beginners will have it easier.

Thanks for the keywords page. This is helpful to complete the language topics.

Thanks for your understanding and your interest in Cobra!