DeviceJS is Javascript for the Physical World
devicejs.org
devicejs.org
Fascinating. JavaScript really is slowly becoming the lingua franca of everything.
"DeviceJS ties Javascript to the physical world, by providing hooks for protocols like IP, 6loWPAN, Bluetooth™, Zigbee™, RS-232, and devices such as the Belkin WeMo™ and Phillips Hue™ light bulbs. Because the system is centered on Javascript, it is very easy for anyone to extend."
The problem with Javascript ironically is that in some ways it is too powerful. People want a simple scripting language with a basic type system but instead get a psuedo-functional/psuedo-OO language with a type system construction kit.
JS programmers and library designers seem to expend a lot of effort beating JS into the sort of language they want to use, the result is that many JS programs may as well have been written in entirely different languages.
Many people look at JavaScript's flexibility as a bad trait, but to skilled programmers, it becomes a great tool.
JavaScript isn't the new JVM, it is more likely that V8 fills that role. Node.js which is built on top of V8 and uses JavaScript has robust support for multiple platforms and a robust module system built in. It makes sense to use it as a foundation for a device programming platform.
It is one of the best languages for scripting and event based management of objects.
Also as LLVM is maturing, it will be easy to build a layer on top of it for most popular languages - if at all needed - though that need would only be for comfort and previous exposure to that language than anything else.
May be that is why Javascript was chosen.
"The Relay connects WigWag and third party devices to our cloud service, which allows your stuff to interact with many Internet services, such as email, Dropbox and Twitter. It also makes your sensors work together, so they and the rules they activate are smarter."
I can't really understand why this cloud connectivity is required? But personally I feel quite some reservation towards storing this kind of data remote.
From Google cache: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:mr8RddZ...
This is not available yet, and appears it will only run after the developing company, WigWag, completes their Kickstarter campaign and start shipping products.
The nice thing though is that besides being able to run on their proprietary device, it will also run on Raspberry Pi.
I don't think anyone's advocating JS for life-and-death use cases. It's all about the right tool for the job, there's no reason to write off any particular language or environment a priori.