[Info-vax] The (now lost) future of Alpha.

[Tim Sneddon]

invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
> On 2018-08-02, Tim Sneddon <tsneddon at panix.com> wrote:
>> invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
>>> On 2018-08-01, Tim Sneddon <tsneddon at panix.com> wrote:
>>>> invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
>>>>> On 2018-07-29, Simon Clubley <clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP> wrote:
>>>>>> On 2018-07-29, invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
>>>>>>> On 2018-07-24, Arne Vajh??j <arne at vajhoej.dk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Given that a compiler basically reads a text file and writes a file
>>>>>>>> (text if it outputs assembler and binary if it outputs object code),
>>>>>>>> then I find it very difficult to see why a compiler would have to be
>>>>>>>> written in assembler.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It was the best language for the job and in a lot of ways still is.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It may just be me, but I don't fancy the idea of writing a LL(1) parser
>>>>>> (assuming the language is suitable for LL(1) parsing), an optimiser or
>>>>>> a code generator in assembly language. :-)
>>>>> 
>>>>> Once you've done it, you mostly don't have to do it again.
>>>>> 
>>>>> The PL/I compiler had over 200 passes at one time. That's a lot scarier than
>>>>> writing any parser in any language ;)
>>>>
>>>> What? 200 passes? As someone who is likely more knowledgable than most in
>>>> this particular arena, just what are you talking about?  Please, site
>>>> examples and references, I'm very interested.
>>> 
>>> Look on bitsavers for the MVS manuals, then PLM (Program Logic Manuals) then
>>> find PL/I
>>> 
>>
>> Classic!  The anti-vaxxer of the compiler world!
>>
>> You: Here, I'm making some wild claim!
>> Me: Prove it! 
>> You: Nah! You do it. 
>>
>> 200 passes?  This is ridiculous stuff.
> 
> I'm looking for the doc. You could have also since you expressed interest.
> 
> You don't have to be an asshole about it, even though you feel like you do.

Well, maybe I could have been a bit nicer about it.  Given you're the one
making a wild claim, then it is on you to prove it.

Regards, Tim.