From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 From: Syd Polk To: Stan Shebs Cc: Dale Johannesen , Mark Mitchell , Per Bothner , Ziemowit Laski , Ira Ruben , "gcc@gcc.gnu.org" , compiler_group@group.apple.com Subject: Re: Target-specific Front-Ends? (Was: front end changes for altivec) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 14:12:00 -0000 Message-ID: <0112FFE4-E44D-11D5-9CA1-0050E4C09301@apple.com> References: <3C054104.4A7343E@apple.com> X-SW-Source: 2001-11/msg01513.html Message-ID: <20011128141200.p_cgCwDrssNvmQajjkLqheLKnD0TDDWjAcTe30UnqD8@z> On Wednesday, November 28, 2001, at 11:54 , Stan Shebs wrote: > Dale Johannesen wrote: >> >>> Now I believe that we do have some leeway to update the AltiVec >>> extension syntax, based on what I know of the size of our installed >>> base and how the code is written. If there is a compromise that >>> allows us to have one version of GCC instead of three, and requires >>> only minor edits of source (such as {} instead of () for constants), >>> I think we will be able to get our users to adopt it. >> >> I think the only way our users will adopt a change is if they have no >> choice, and then they will resent it. I haven't asked them, and >> neither >> has Stan, I don't think, but from what I've seen they are not much >> interested in issues of language theory. They just want their code to >> work, and will regard a necessary change to working code as a big minus >> with no perceptible benefit to them. I even sympathize; they do have >> schedules and limited resources. > > In practice, Mac developers will get a nice long transition period. > To use {} vs () as an example, I expect we will support both, > eventually deprecating (). People interested in Linux compatibility > can start using {} right away, those who are more concerned about > Metrowerks compat can stay with (). > > Stan > I think the fact that gcc3 code generates code that runs as fast or faster than other compilers will convince people to make source code changes. The people that use -altivec are the most performance oriented people, and as such, are willing to do a lot to squeeze out a few more cycles. > Syd Polk QA and Integration Manager, Mac OSX Development Tools +1 408 974-0577