Re: Compiler 101

Jon Masterson <jon@scruffyduck.co.uk> wrote:
>Thanks for the advice but the simulator program that I need to control
>has very specific requirements and using any sort of pre-existing
>language would not be much help - I do not know of any that can
>describe a cloud layer or the state of an aircraft cockpit instruments
>in a single statement


I think you've missed John's point somewhat. Using an existing
scripting language certainly would mean defining some new procedures
(or whatever) so it can control your simulator; you do still have to
implement the application-specific interface. But the structure of
the language -- control structures, variables, etc. -- is already
there and so you don't have to implement everything yourself. You do
have to fit into the structure of an existing language, but the reward
is much less coding and many more facilities.


TCL, in particular, originated specifically for this purpose: it was
meant to be a common, pre-implemented replacement for the half-baked,
poorly-implemented control languages found in many applications.
Arguably it drifted away from that original goal over time, but it's
still usable for that purpose.
--
"Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend." | Henry Spencer
                                                                -- George Herbert | henry@spsystems.net

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