first active use of a class

[Jerry Kramskoy]

>One issue was the issue of "first active use" of a class.
>I pointed out that WAT compilers such as gcj are being penalized because
>they have to insert code that checks for each possible first use of
>a class whether its <clinit> initializer needs to be invoked.
>
>He said that his interpretation of the JLS gives such compiler writers
>the freedom to preinitialize all classes before you even invoke the
>main method; essentially saving that test.
>

I've had various conversations with one of Sun's JVM
evangelists about different aspects of semantics required of the VM (where
the JVM spec was unclear etc.), and I seem to recall that the above
interpretation produces incorrect semantics.  I'll contact him again to
double check, and mail you.

cheers, Jerry Kramskoy

> - Godmar
>
>