winalski@psw.DEC.COM.UUCP (02/22/87)
Kevin Carosso has it correct. VAX Pascal does not use the VAX common code generator (VCG). There are three code generators in use for VMS compilers, as follows: 1) FORTRAN back end, used only by VAX FORTRAN 2) Pascal back end, used only by VAX PASCAL 3) VAX code generator (VCG) used by VAXeln Pascal, VAX PL/I, VAX C, VAX Ada, and VAX SCAN Additionally, I think that VAX BASIC, VAX COBOL, and VAX RPG-II all have their own code generators, but I'm not sure on that. VAX BLISS-32 definitely has its own code generator. As regards which compiler generates the best code, they are all very close. Some do better at individual benchmarks than others do, but there is no across-the-board winner or loser amongst them. They all generate good code-- the best strategy is to choose the language that is most natural or convenient to program in for your particular application. --PSW