Alternative language to do Cocoa programming

Question

I'm a C++, Java developer and I want to program for Mac in something "nicer" than Objective-C.

I know Java Swing can mimic the MacOS X UI, but a Java Swing program is not a Cocoa first citizen. Also I know that I can use Qt in C++ or Jambi in Java to use the Qt toolkit that performs Cocoa calls but, though that is not a bad idea, it adds an abstraction layer in all the thing.

So, is there something like "Vala" for GTK+ or some Java bindings or some stuff to do Cocoa programming with no need of all the Objective-C thing?

[DISCLAIMER: "nicer" is just my appreciation, no trolling there]

Answer 1

It is indeed an inflammatory question.

There are bindings for Ruby and Python, if those fit your bill.

http://developer.apple.com/leopard/overview/apptech.html

Objective-C isn't all that un-nice and not all that dissimilar to Java in several ways, really, if you take some time to learn it.

Answer 2

MacRuby + HotCocoa lets you do it all in Ruby, and in a Rubyesque way - it looks more natural than a foreign binding might suggest.