XL Compiler Bootstrapped

Posted by Cliff on Sunday November 9, 2003 @12:20PM from the major-milestones-surpassed dept.

descubes inputs: "An XL compiler bootstrapped two days ago (that means it compiled itself). Take a look at the project homepage to discover this language, designed around concept programming ideas, which is a sort of cross between C++, Lisp and XML. Much help is now needed to improve this rudimentary first iteration." One thing to note is that the C++ version of the compiler came in at 4500 lines, while the XL equivalent came in at some 2700 lines. This seems to imply that XL may be easier to work in than C/C++. Might XL someday be nudging the old workhouse out of a job in the near future?

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The pain! The pain! by gooru · 2003-11-10 08:18 · Score: 0, Flamebait

One thing to note is that the C++ version of the compiler came in at 4500 lines, while the XL equivalent came in at some 2700 lines. This seems to imply that XL may be easier to work in than C/C++. Might XL someday be nudging the old workhouse out of a job in the near future?

Ever heard of functional programming? That's the family of programming languages lisp is in? Ever programmed in them? They are freaking painful if you ask me. It makes so much more sense to use a procedural language in everyday programming environments. That's why commercial projects aren't written in lisp or ML or scheme or whatever. Just because the code takes up less space doesn't mean it's any easier to use.