Learn SMALLTALK with Real Code Examples

Image-based system storing objects and classes

Virtual machine executes Smalltalk bytecode

All operations performed via message passing

Live object inspection and modification

Persistent object environment (snapshots)

Source code defined in image or scripts

Compiled to bytecode by VM

Executed live in image

Interactive inspection and modification

State persisted in image snapshots

Pure OOP with message passing

Blocks for closures and control flow

GUI event-driven programming

Reflective system modification

Package and class-based modularity

GUI apps (Morph framework)

Web apps (Seaside)

Rapid prototyping systems

Research and educational tools

Legacy enterprise Smalltalk systems

Everything is an object

Message passing instead of direct function calls

Live environment and immediate feedback

Highly reflective and dynamic

Consistency and simplicity in syntax

Use modular packages for large projects

Limit global object usage

Leverage collections for large data sets

Optimize message passing for performance

Use native VM extensions for computation-heavy tasks

Convert legacy Smalltalk images to Pharo/Squeak

Modularize code using packages

Use Monticello for version control

Integrate with web frameworks if needed

Maintain image snapshots carefully