Re: Java virtual machine as target language for C/C++

Rinie Kervel wrote:
>But as the Java virtual machine gets integrated in many OSes it would
>be nice to use it as a target language for other languages.
>
>Is it possible (and will Sun allow it) to extend the JVM to support
>pointer arithmetic.


If they tried they would have an armed insurrection from the Java
programmers. The whole idea of Java is to prevent actions that
compromise system integrity.


There is nothing to stop the C++ people from implementing their own VM
and JITs and portable AWT after the manner of Java. However VM for
C++ would need to be quite different. It would have to nail down the
rules for embedding struct layouts precisely, and the internal formats
for big-endianess and packing slack bytes. The Java VM does not have
to do that. Java IS the end result of squeezing C++ into portable
form, so you might as well fly with Java.


Roedy@bix.com <Roedy Green of Canadian Mind Products> contract programming
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