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[REBOL] Re: Rebol > Lisp

From: rgaither:triad:rr at: 12-Feb-2003 15:01

Hi Tim,
> I've been trying to wrap my tiny brain around a similar > concept for a while: > Given the advanced text processing and introspective > qualities of rebol, it might be possible to write > rebol code that would read rebol code (as a prototype) > and convert into comparable code in another language.
It certainly is possible and rebol offers the right kind of flexibility in this area. It is not a trivial task even with rebol as the tool though.
> It would be easier if the target language had an API > that accomodated such an effort.
I'm not sure what you mean by this.
> I have a project to do that entails building an > 'object-oriented' interface in Ansi C (not C++).
If you are going to tackle such a project I would recommend you review the design of Objective-C. It has such a simple implementation approach that it should be a good basis to start from. http://developer.apple.com/techpubs/macosx/Cocoa/ObjectiveC/index.html I would ask why though - is the goal to have some higher level design language that outputs C for portability or is it just a learning project? I know there are valid reasons for wanting C as the end result but such goals always bring up questions in my mind. Questions that typically lead me to the opinion that a better option is being overlooked. There is however a lot of value in identifying the higher level design language ( Dialect :-) ) that will address the problem space no matter what the final solution is.
> My approach to this would be bearing in mind that > I might want to auto-convert from one language to > another.
This is an oft sought after, and very elusive goal. It is this goal, from a different angle - interoperability rather than generation, that makes Microsoft's CLI/CLR technology interesting. I couldn't find a really good link to CLI/CLR specifics in my two minute google searches. I would appreciate it it anyone has a nice definitive resource on the topic. Here is a fluffy starter piece for those interested. http://www.greymatter.com/Buyers/HardCopy/Issue14/TECHTOPICSs.pdf
> But one has to have means, method, AND motivation.
:-) FWIW, Rod. Rod Gaither [rgaither--triad--rr--com] 336-644-9247 Oak Ridge, NC USA