Re: Garbage Collection

[ryer@inmet.UUCP]

Why some Ada compilers should be allowed to perform garbage collection:

a. Because they are to generate code that coexists in an environment with
languages like LISP where garbage collection is assumed.  They want to
operate on data structures shared with other languages.

b. Because the current world supply of "reusable" Ada components have
not all been written carefully for space management, and in prototyping
any reusable component (that works) may be better than none.

c. Because some users are very unconcerned with the efficiency or
reusability of their programs.  This applies to the run-only-once
programs such as in a training environment, or where a computer is used
as an oversized desk calculator just to obtain numeric answers.  It may
be that all computer science students should become careful implementers
of ADTs.  I doubt that all particle physicists need to develop this
discipline even though they may write substantial programs.

d. It Is FEASIBLE for the computer to do a good job of garbage collection
automatically and it does reduce the size of the source code which does
tend to reduce the life cycle cost of owning that code.  It may increase
execution time but some users will prefer this tradeoff.

Therefore, garbage collection should not be prohibited, even though it
is inappropriate and harmful in some cases.  Different applications
can benefit from different compilers.

Mike Ryer
Intermetrics