eshook@Franz.COM (Elizabeth Shook) (01/24/91)
Franz Inc. makes a good living from Lisp. We'd like to make it clear that Lisp is not dying, is not dead, and is accomodating itself quite well to modern hardware platforms and business practices. Franz Inc. has specifically addressed the issue of delivery, in terms of both size and runtime cost. Lisp includes large function libraries, which contribute to Lisp's usefulness for prototyping and developing large, complex applications. As others have mentioned, if you want functionality, you have to accept that it will require resources. But if you need a leaner Lisp image, we also have a solution for you. Franz Inc.'s Allegro CL 4.0 product includes Allegro Presto, a runtime delivery system. Allegro Presto can be used to safely compress the size of your Lisp image for both development and delivery, decreasing the amount of memory you need to run the Lisp effectively and localizing functions and data so that the Lisp runs faster and more efficiently. Allegro Presto dynamically loads only the functions that your application needs and then freezes this definition for delivery. Functions not included in the Lisp image but required by the application are automatically loaded in from the disk libraries. Allegro Presto also includes special performance features that can further "lighten" your code. With Allegro Presto, the Lisp can be as complete or as lean as the application demands. If you don't need all the functionality of lisp, you can have a small lisp image. Currently, Allegro Presto has been able to reduce application's executable file by up to 50 percent. Franz is continuing to work on ways to further improve the feasibility of Lisp application delivery. Franz also offers a low cost runtime licensing option, which permits developers to deliver applications with Allegro CL inexpensively and easily. Allegro Runtime is available for a one-time licensing fee, plus 2 percent of the delivered product's revenues. With this pricing structure, non-commercial applications can be delivered royalty-free, and commercial applications can be delivered at a low cost. With Allegro Presto and Allegro Runtime, Allegro CL 4.0 can be considered a competitive vehicle for efficient delivery of applications on Unix workstations. For more information, contact info@franz.com. -- Elizabeth Shook, Franz Inc. 1995 University Avenue, Suite 275 eshook@Franz.COM (internet) Berkeley, CA 94704 uunet!franz!eshook (uucp) Phone: (415) 548-3600; FAX: (415) 548-8253