Re: Does this model work ?

["Samuel T. Harris" <sam_harris@hso.link.com>]

Jean-Marten Marchi wrote:
> 
> On Tue, 18 May 1999 11:12:48 -0500, "Samuel T. Harris"
> <sam_harris@hso.link.com> wrote:
> 
> >An Ada to JVM compiler gives me a single product which can
> >be universally distributed (well, almost universally :) and
> >can even be run from a remote web site. The need for more
> >efficient implementations for specific customers does not
> >negate the need for universal distribution.
> 
> Why can't you have the best of both solutions, as long as you
> distribute source code ?
> 
> Why not embed the compiler on your customers machine ? The only thing
> he has to do is download your application in source code form, That's
> all.

Possible, but not really feasible for anonymous customers
connected remotely to run an application.

The JVM is already embedded in their Web browser.
Given the size of Ada 95 compilers, it just isn't feasible
to "embed" something that large into their environment
for them. Besides, download the application in source form
is not all. The customer then has to do the build.

If the architecture is directly supported then a native
implementation is available. This is all the customer
needs to download. In this case, there is still the
"installation" step to be performed.

Anonymous folks who want a quick-n-dirty demo don't
want any hassle if they can avoid it.

The "best of both worlds" solution consists of the following ...

1. Directly support architectures have efficient native code
   implementations available which are built based on actual
   supported customer needs.

2. All architectures are supported by less efficient JVM
   implementation. Potential customers with unsupported
   architectures can still demo the product. Recent customers
   with unsupported architectures can run the product until
   native support can be achieved. Anyone anywhere can demo
   the product anonymously over the Web.

And its all done in a single source language.

-- 
Samuel T. Harris, Principal Engineer
Raytheon, Scientific and Technical Systems
"If you can make it, We can fake it!"