[comp.lang.modula2] M-2: can it help me??

malcolm@alice.marlow.reuters.co.uk (Malcolm Melville) (03/01/88)

I currently have some 2000+ lines of raw C code that do a hold load
of stuff associated with virtual windowing. Most of the code is aimed
at trying to provide object type techniques in a language that clearly
wasn't designed for it. The two major areas where a lot of code is expended
is link list management and garbage collection. I have thought about using
C++ to try and help me but I understand that dynamic resizing of objects
is tricky. What about M-2?
I recently went to MIT for the X11 conference and got the impression from
the Xtk developers that they went round this loop but were constrained to
C despite wanting to use M-2. Well here's your chance to convert a C 
programmer to M-2. Will it help me?? Can I have some references?? What
compilers are available?? What is the learning curve from C to M-2 like??
Are there any other benefits I can look forward to?? 

Now for the really tricky bits:
1. M-2 must be available for Unix, VMS, OS/2 and DOS otherwise I won't
be 'allowed' to use it.
2. M-2 interfaces to X11 must at least be promised.
3. M-2 interfaces to Windows/Presentation Manager must be available.
4. Does M-2 (in any flavour) support dynamic code loading? Can I load
a new fragment at runtime and hence add new features?? (Does any
language or system allow this??)

Thanks for the help

Malcolm


-- 
The views expressed are my own rather than my employers. 

Malcolm Melville