Re: lisp exe compiler

l40128@alfa.ist.utl.pt (delphis) wrote:


> I would like to know if there is a true lisp compiler, which generates
> executables, but a TRUE compiler, and not something that just puts the
> entire language in the compiler ?
>
> [I've never seen a Lisp that compiled stand-alone executables. Dunno
> why not. -John]


Making a guess, I'd say no market. Elaboration ... There are a number
of features of Lisp that, if they're used, preclude "stand-alone
executables", e.g. using "eval" at run-time. So if I'm going to build
a stand-alone executable, I've got to decide not to use these
features. However, programmers tend to use Lisp for complex problems
where doing without these features is a problem. Therefore, the
market for Lisp for stand-alone executables is too limited, making the
whole idea uneconomic.


Having said that, the new version of MCL for the Mac/PPC keeps most of
the environment in shared libraries, so you can use the application
generator to make a "stand-alone" application that is fairly small -
at least on disk and behaves the same as any other Macintosh
application.


    Chris


Dr. Christopher L. Reedy, Mail Stop Z667
Mitretek Systems, 7525 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102-7400
Email: creedy@mitretek.org Phone: (703) 610-1615 FAX: (703) 610-1603
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