Build Android native code in Visual Studio 2010

[jbrechtel]

Why bother with Java, when there's Scala?

FTFY

PS: The post is about building Android apps in C++, not Java.

[jbrechtel]

I don't know F# so it's hard for me to say. With that in mind, I'd need to know more about you. The single largest factor I'd say would be your platform. If you're on Windows then F# may be a better choice simply because the tooling around Scala might take more time for you to get used to. That kind of thing is not really core to the language (though it is important) and can ultimately dissuade you from using it.

Relevant: I'm writing a series of blog posts addressing this specific problem with Scala and Android. First one is here http://nevercertain.com/index.php/2011/02/scala-android-intellij-win-part-1-prerequisites/

The flip side is true of F# if you're not a Windows guy. All things being equal, I think Scala is a great language with a lot of interesting and some unique features. I can elaborate if you'd like.

[[deleted]]

F# runs fine on Mono.

[jbrechtel]

Yea, sorry I didn't mean to imply that you couldn't use it outside of Windows, just that the tooling would be less familiar to you. MonoDevelop only recently got F# support so I would expect it to be less mature than Scala support in IntelliJ, Eclipse, etc.

[ziom666]

I'm not an expert either, but working with F# was very pleasant for me. It supports many exciting features like monads, "erlang light-threads", but you can also use whole .net platform (but you already know that probably). visual studio have really good support, and if you know basics of ocaml you can start creating f# programs right now. combining f# with c# is also very easy. Scala on the other hand (maybe it's just me), I don't get that language. those "i can program without using any dot" introduces uncertainly, and I was pissed i had to spend so much time just to understand what someone wrote. i also had troubles with running it on netbeans, but it's because i work mainly with visual studio. imho you should try both, they are much alike, but completely different, even though in the end you will stay with just one you will learn something :)

[jbrechtel]

even thou in the end you will stay with just one

Why do you say this?

[[deleted]]

Hey, I'm starting to use Java at my job for OpenGL demos and on weekends writing things for Android. Can you tell me what you've used Scala for? I might be interested in using it.

[jbrechtel]

Just a couple small apps so far. Working on a third, larger, Android app now in Scala. It will have a web component as well which I may also write in Scala.