Re: PROPOSAL: Objective-C++

[Martin Brecher <martin at mb-itconsulting dot com>]

Hi, -


that sounds great. C++ is a defacto standard for a lot of developers and 
most programming friends I know are using mostly or only C++. ObjC++ 
could bring the force of those ones to the NeXT world; thus resulting in 
more apps for OS X and GNUstep. Additionally, a lot of current programs 
may be easily ported to our beloved OpenStep platforms.

Also I guess that this effort will be seen positively by a lot of 
companies as it is a very supportive step in their direction and a proof 
of the cross platform attitude of the OpenStep community.

Greetings,
Martin Brecher


Ziemowit Laski wrote:

> PUTTING OBJECTIVE-C++ INTO GCC 3.x
> 
> As some of you may know, Apple is currently using a customized
> gcc 2.95.2 as its system compiler for Mac OS X.  One of the
> Apple additions to its gcc 2.95.2 is a front-end for the
> Objective-C++ language (cc1objplus).
> 
> The Objective-C++ language may be thought of an extension of C++,
> analogously to how Objective-C extends C.  The language was
> originally envisioned as an interface technology, enabling users
> to directly invoke Objective-C APIs (such as NeXTStep/GNUStep, or
> Cocoa on Mac OS X) from C++ code -- and vice versa -- without the
> need for C glue code.  Needless to say, Objective-C++ is extremely
> useful in this regard, allowing developers to port applications
> to Mac OS X (and other platforms with existing Objective-C
> frameworks) with much more ease.
> 
> To the seasoned programmer :), Objective-C++ provides an opportunity
> to leverage the characteristics of both C++ and Objective-C in the
> same translation unit.  The C++ and Objective-C object models
> complement each other quite nicely, allowing programmers to make
> trade-offs between efficiency and type-safety on the one hand, and
> flexibility and dynamism on the other.
> 
> Unfortunately, even though it may be of interest to the outside
> community (e.g., GNUStep users), the existing 2.95.2 version of
> Objective-C++ is not really in a state amenable to integration into
> FSF 2.95.x sources.  But . . .
> 
> We are currently working on rolling out gcc 3.x on Mac OS X.
> Obviously, this work will include bringing up the Objective-C++
> 3.x front-end.  This time around, however, we would like to
> coordinate its development with the community at large, so
> that the finished (or even evolving) product can become part
> of the FSF tree.  Obviously, we will strive to integrate
> Objective-C++ into the FSF tree in such a way that it will
> have minimal impact on those _not_ wishing to use it. :)
> 
> The purpose of this post is twofold.  First, we'd like
> to know whether there exists an interest in the community
> for incorporating Objective-C++ capability into FSF gcc 3.x.
> 
> Second, if there _is_ interest, we would like to request
> permission to make one small change to the C++ build
> process _right now_ that would make everyone's life
> easier from then on.  The idea is to change gcc/cp/parse.y
> to gcc/cp/cp-parse.in, and then use sed to separate out
> the C++ and Objective-C++ portions of the Yacc file,
> _exactly_ as is presently being done with C and Objective-C.
> 
> The good news about adding Objective-C++ to gcc is that
> very little actual new code will be required!  Most of the
> functionality already exists in the cp/ and objc/ folders. :)
> 
> Thanks for reading this.  We look forward to hearing from all
> of you.
> 
> --Zem
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Ziemowit Laski                   Apple Computer, Inc.
> zlaski@apple.com                 2 Infinite Loop, MS 302-4SN
> +1.408.974.6229  Fax .1344       Cupertino, CA  95014-2085
> 
> 
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