Re: Generic stack implementation

Article View: comp.lang.modula2

Article #2209

#2209

From: Bill Seurer
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:08

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I have ported lots of Modula-2 and C code between machines with VASTLY
different architectures, especially when it comes to addresses.  The
Modula-2 code was generally easier to port but both it and the C code
suffered from one big problem.

On most Unix machines the size of pointers and integers is the same.
Vast amounts of C code is written that exploits this fact and makes it
extremely difficult to port to machines where this isn't the case.  Even
code that is supposed to be relatively machine independent usually has
this flaw.  Often it is very subtle, easy to miss, and worst of all, 
compiles OK.

The "ADDRESS is compatible with CARDINAL" part of Modula-2 is a mistake,
pure and simple.
-- 

- Bill Seurer     Language and Compiler Development      IBM Rochester, MN
  Internet: BillSeurer@vnet.ibm.com    America On-Line: BillSeurer@aol.com

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<9212091316.AA14856@elg> <911288c.32.724187845@ace.acadiau.ca> <1992Dec15.150410.21677@informatik.uni-ulm.de> <1992Dec17.114912.1@wombat.newcastle.edu.au>

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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!sparky!uunet!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!yktnews!admin!nordruth!seurer
From: seurer@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Bill Seurer)
Subject: Re: Generic stack implementation
Sender: news@rchland.ibm.com
Message-ID: <1992Dec17.150809.15780@rchland.ibm.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:08:09 GMT
Reply-To: BillSeurer@vnet.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
References: <9212091316.AA14856@elg> <911288c.32.724187845@ace.acadiau.ca> <1992Dec15.150410.21677@informatik.uni-ulm.de> <1992Dec17.114912.1@wombat.newcastle.edu.au>
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