Re: Putting C++ code into gcc front end

[Andrew Haley <aph at redhat dot com>]

Lars Segerlund writes:
 > 
 >   This reply I don't understand, there is a note on gcc and why it's 
 > written in C in the docs, also refering to meningless religious debates, 
 > if we haven't got a reason to have C++ in the fronend why should we ? 

We do have a reason.  See
http://gcc.gnu.org/ml/gcc/2003-03/msg00146.html.

 > also since it has the potential to be seriously misused and make compile 
 > times skyrocket.

But we don't have to accept inefficient patches.  Inefficiency is a
feature of a patch, not whether it was written in C or C++.

 > This last statement clearly states misused ! In the 
 > same manner as the garbage collector has been misused and caused C++ 
 > compile times to skyrocket, it does in no way imply that C++ is broken 
 > or anything.
 > 
 >   If I understand the bottom line it is that we 'should' have C++ in the 
 > frontends ?

Well, yes.  Otherwise we won't be able to use code that is already
written in C++ in our front ends.

 >   Also in regards to thrust, I do not se how this reflect's on not 
 > having C++ in the frontends ? I view the issue as having a minimal set 
 > of prerequitites for the frontend, there is no java, fortran, ada and 
 > such in the frontend. ( for ada I believe this to be wrong but I am not 
 > sure ).

 >   Also I do believe that the C++ libs and java libs are the only libs 
 > with C++ in them, in strict contrast to all other major languages 
 > supported by the compiler such as fortran, cobol, ada.
 > 
 >   Is there a rational reason to have a rewrite of gcc instead of a minor 
 > rewrite of a lib for a target language ?

We're not rewriting anything.  In fact, we're trying to avoid rewriting
part of the front end for Java.

Andrew.