I can only speak for myself:
1. It is so big.
2. It still largely depends on GC (less important actually)
It keeps adding features, but adding features isn't what makes a language worth using. In fact, that's one of the least attractive things about C++ as well.
So my guess:
1. It betted wrong on GC trying to compete with C++.
2. After failing to get traction, kept adding features to it – which felt a bit like there was some feature that would finally be the killer feature of the language.
3. Not understanding that the added features actually made it less attractive.
4. C++ then left the GC track completely and became a more low level alternative to, at which point D ended up in a weird position: neither high level enough to feel like a high level alternative, nor low level enough to compete with C++.
5. Finally: the fact that it's been around for so long and never taking off makes it even harder for it to take off because it's seen as a has-been.
Maybe Walter Bright should create a curated version of D with only the best features. But given how long it takes to create a language and a mature stdlib, that's WAY easier said than done.
1. It is so big.
2. It still largely depends on GC (less important actually)
It keeps adding features, but adding features isn't what makes a language worth using. In fact, that's one of the least attractive things about C++ as well.
So my guess:
1. It betted wrong on GC trying to compete with C++.
2. After failing to get traction, kept adding features to it – which felt a bit like there was some feature that would finally be the killer feature of the language.
3. Not understanding that the added features actually made it less attractive.
4. C++ then left the GC track completely and became a more low level alternative to, at which point D ended up in a weird position: neither high level enough to feel like a high level alternative, nor low level enough to compete with C++.
5. Finally: the fact that it's been around for so long and never taking off makes it even harder for it to take off because it's seen as a has-been.
Maybe Walter Bright should create a curated version of D with only the best features. But given how long it takes to create a language and a mature stdlib, that's WAY easier said than done.