Portability

[glen e. p. ropella]

It has been pointed out to me that my citation of the DSP C40 chip as
a useful construct in an objection to the opinion that a Java Swarm
would eliminate the problems of portability, is misguided. [grin] The
argument goes as follows: Java currently runs on as many or more
platforms than Swarm runs on AND Java does not have the same data
formatting problems that Objective C currently (and always will) have
on those (or any future) platforms.

Now, on the surface, this may seem like a perfectly reasonable
argument completely independent of what platforms for wich ObjectiveC
and Java are available.  And, the argument is given a considerable
amount of credibility by the fact that the machines on which Java runs
provide a cover set of those on which ObjectiveC/Swarm runs.

But, this is ridiculous.

First off, "runs" doesn't mean "runs well" or "runs efficiently."

Second, the target of compiled Java is not a CPU.

Third, it is reasonable to try to write a new target for GCC.  It is
not reasonable to try to write a new target for Java.  (for instance,
for the C40)

Fourth, the tools for using Java are pretty primitive.  I can run it
on my Linux box; but, it's fairly quirky.  Forget an easy setup to use
it with Netscape.

Fifth, it is quite obvious (from the efforts with respect to Ada) that
the specification of any programming language will not cover all
instances of portability.  This is a result of limited resources and
anybody who touts the ability of a language specification for covering
all portability issues is effectively trying to sell ocean front
property in Arizona.

And Finally, Java is wayway too young for anybody to be able to make
statements about portability, in general.  The gulf between theory and
practice is no where broader than in programming language use and
design.  Come back and talk to me when Java is the language of 
choice in industry.  When that's the case, we can discuss portability.
(And, no, "industry" does not mean the "gee-whiz, neato" stuff on 
the web.  It means the software that runs PCs, workstations, and
the chips resident in automobiles, device drivers, medical equipment,
etc.)

So, yes, my post about running Swarm on a C40 was a joke.  But, no,
Java Swarm will not eliminate the portability problems.

glen