[net.lang.lisp] gcdisable

mac (03/22/83)

We noticed a problem here with Franz' (load) routine.  To speed up loading
files, load binds the special variable gcdisable to t.  This inhibits
garbage collection during loads.  This prevents anything executed during a
load from garbage collecting.

We have at least two interpreters here implemented in Franz.  The last
thing appearing in the source files is a call to the main driver.  These
are compiled using liszt's -r option, hence are executed during a (load).

The gcdisable prevents any garbage from ever being collected.  Garbage
collection is normally an invisible process, so it is not immediately
apparent.  The problem has been dealt with by (setq gcdisable ()) just
before the call to the main driver.

This is the problem the way it seemed from here.  We're running Opus 36.
Our (help) manual is dated 9 July 1981.  This may be part of the problem.
Or I may have misunderstood what's going on.