Re: [9fans] APL

[arnold@skeeve.com]

This is getting off topic ...

> > There was an interpreter for P-code and (I think later) a compiler
> > for the Vax. You'd have to port it to current architectures, and
> > compiling TeX would probably make TeX run more slowly than the C version.
> > 
> > The Berkeley Pascals were some of the compilers used for "Software Tools
> > in Pascal".
>
> The Pascal version would probably be a bit slower. And it would be more
> an alternative to verify the code than a primary way, since in fact
> D.E.K. has not written the program in some Pascal but in Algol, a high
> level abstract description, the wizardry being in the data structures.

It's Pascal, but in literate form with WEB.  I've read "Tex: The Program". :-)

> And, indeed, only the control flows are being translated from pseudo 
> Pascal to C, the core---the data structures---being handled by ad-hoc
> code.

Could be, I'm not familiar with how web2c works.

> And for the architectures, like other compilers, the aim would be to
> convert to some intermediate language (perhaps assembly) and to borrow
> the back-ends.

I think the Pascal compiler used the PCC back end, but I no longer
remember for sure. If so, you might could hook it up to the revived PCC
project.

Although it sounds like a fun project, there are probably better
uses for your time. :-)

Arnold

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