This book investigates the core syntax, semantics, and object-oriented design principles of the Smalltalk-80 programming language. Adele Goldberg and David G. Robson, both key figures in the development of the Smalltalk environment at Xerox PARC, provide a comprehensive technical manual for the language. The text serves as the definitive reference for Version 2, detailing the class hierarchy, message-passing mechanisms, and the fundamental object-oriented paradigm that defines the system.

Experts and computer scientists recognize this work as the foundational text for understanding the Smalltalk environment. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for experienced programmers and language designers.