compilers@ima.UUCP (01/07/86)
[from ] Reply-To: tower@prep.ai.mit.edu Organization: GNU Project, 1000 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA +1 (617) 876-3296 Home: 36 Porter Street, Somerville, MA 02143, USA +1 (617) 623-7739 Here is the latest status (written by rms) on the GNU C Compiler. Further information from <gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu>. Announcements about the compiler will occur on the ARPA mailing list: * INFO-GNU@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU ** List additions to: INFO-GNU-REQUEST@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU 4. C compiler Although I have a portable C and Pascal compiler, it has a serious drawback: it is a very large program, and intrinsically cannot be made smaller. It is also very hard to bootstrap. The problem is that most of the compiler is written in Pastel, a super-hairy extended Pascal, and it is also the sole compiler for that language. To make it smaller, we must eliminate the hair needed to compile Pastel; then we will not be able to compile Pastel, so it must all be rewritten into C. Len Tower, the sole full-time GNU staff person, is working on this, with one or two assistants. He can certainly use more, but they must be in Cambridge or else be able to communicate on the Internet.