Remember the olden days?

I vaguely remember this odd box called a computer gradually conquering corners of my living room and bedroom. Can you recall those times? We would "use a computer" for some specific tasks, such as writing a letter.

The term computer was quite popular back then. Now, the word is no longer part of our active vocabulary, let alone "use a computer", who says that anymore? Nobody does. That is because computers are no longer odd boxes in corners. They are the notebooks and mobile phones that we use every day. They are also the hybrids between the two, such as tablets and netbooks. They are the servers that run websites we constantly use as well. Even today's TVs are full-blown computers.

I find this change fascinating. I think we live in a very exciting time to be participating in the business. All these new devices bring us opportunities enabling us to express our creativity, while their differences challenge us and keep us inventive.

Unlike PHP or ActionScript, haXe is not designed for one specific purpose. It is just a programming language. That is why it is so versatile. Whether it is the hip new phone in the hands of a Japanese ad girl or a big bulky machine in a server room; whether it has a mouse, a multi-touch screen, a bendable/deformable interface; or even a mind reading sensor, haXe can be remixed and used for the device.

This means that you can use the same language and even the same codebase across the browser and the server part of your project, for example. To me, that is why haXe is so relevant.

Benjamin Dasnois is one of the people that has been around since haXe-day one. He remixes haXe to make it fit new needs. Benjamin is best known within the community for working on the Java target. (I would also say, that he is second to none for his funny French accent.)

In this book, Benjamin will introduce you to the world of haXe. Once you get to the last page, you will have the skill set to start developing for a browser and a big bulky server using the same language.

However, remember: a programming language is never your goal; it is a tool that assists you in achieving your goal, be it creating awesome software that enriches all of our lives or helping us achieve world domination.

Pimm Hogeling

haXe Developer and Interface Designer