[comp.misc] C as a replacement for assembler

diamond@jit345.swstokyo.dec.com (Norman Diamond) (04/09/91)

In article <4o5G2erk1@cs.psu.edu> schwartz@groucho.cs.psu.edu (Scott Schwartz) writes:
>In article <1576@acf5.NYU.EDU> sabbagh@acf5.NYU.EDU (sabbagh) writes:
>   Finally, I want to point out that the invention of C++, Eiffel and a 
>   number of other languages have pointed out the true value
>   of C: as a replacement to assembly language!
>The problem with compiling to C is that certain things are impossible
>to express properly and/or safely.  For example, modula 3 has
>difficulty with garbage collection when the C compiler's optimizer
>decides to rearrange or elide code.

Indeed, the C compiler users and vendors and standardizing committees
forgot the original purpose of C.  In order to use C as originally
intended, as a replacement for assembly language, it is necessary to
take these steps:
(1)  Use only a subset of the C language;
(2)  Do the optimizations yourself (or in your high-level language compiler);
(3)  Use an old C compiler or disable optimizations in your C compiler.

Follow-ups to comp.misc.
--
Norman Diamond       diamond@tkov50.enet.dec.com
If this were the company's opinion, I wouldn't be allowed to post it.