🚀 go-pugleaf

Greetings,

I am trying to persuade some folks here that using objective-c could have
some major advantages over C++, especially in the runtime access of 
variable names, types, method names, types, structure/class encoding, RUN
TIME BINDING.

I know that the NeXT runtime supports the above, does/will the GNU runtime?
I am working on structure inflating/deflating ala @encode for transfering
atructures/objects/variables to/from files/sockets...  I have the atomics,
strings, pointers, and arrays for deflating but not embedded objects.  The
code both works and needs some work.  The Inflation is not implemented yet.
(Has anyone done this?)

I am also trying to put together a FIRST CLASS object that can be queried
(using standard objective-c syntax) about itself...how many instance variables
do you have, what is the name of the 2nd one, type of 2nd one, ...
This would be the base class of a remote object (with some additional 
methods).  The current Class uses the NeXT runtime calls and structures
to obtain this information.  (What is the GNU way?)

I beleive these are the first steps toward distributed/remote objects.
(any thoughts?)  Once one can access an objects instance variable, class,
and method information at runtime the information is there now the transfer
of this data (ala @encode strings for processor independance), method 
existance, invocation and return values are some of the remaining challanges.

Civilized input welcome!  


-- 
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Kevin A. Sapp                    "A civilization depends upon the quality
Superconducting Super Collider    of individual it creates"   (Dune)
sapp@sawdust.ssc.gov :>( please NO NeXT mail