[sadie]

Ok, this is entirely theoretical, but how possible would it be to compile Objective-C to Java Bytecode. (if this isn't entirely theoretical, let me know!)

The problem as I see it, isn't the Objective stuff, which is largely a new syntax for the classes Java already has. There may be slight glitches with Categories, but not insoluble ones.

The problem is C, which wasn't designed for compiling to a pointerless language. For example, you get lines like:

while (*src) *dst++ = *src++;

So we'd have to create a new language (Objective-J?) which overlays the Objective code onto a different base. Ideas, people?

[Dalgo]

Objective C doesn't really match up with Java at all. I mean is there anything in Java that'd correspond to IMPS or selectors in Objective C? I think trying to compile them to the same thing is like trying to change an apple to an orange.

[sadie]

How about a new language with ObjC-like syntax and semantics?

The syntax isn't a problem, it's just how to implement various bits of semantics. For example, it does have the ability to build classes on the fly, which you could use for Categories. It does have reflection, which you could use to create something that behaved like Selectors. And ok, you've got me - what's IMPS?

I'm just thinking that something that feels like Objective-C but is cross platform could make porting OS X programs across multiple platforms easier in the future.



[This message has been edited by sadie (edited 03-20-2001).]

[LordJavac]

With the upcoming release of gcc (3.0 I think) you should be able to compile any supported language to java byte code, as well as compiling Java to native.

[sadie]

LordJavac claimed:
With the upcoming release of gcc (3.0 I think) you should be able to compile any supported language to java byte code, as well as compiling Java to native.

Er, how? As pointed out, they don't exactly mix. How could gcc compile ANY language to it?

[IamBob]

The key part of what LordJavac said was: any supported language to java byte code, as well as compiling Java to native.

However, I think some emphasis should've been put on *supported* in there. I don't see how ANY language would work. It would be too much work to get any(/every)thing compiling into Java bytecode and/or back.

Anyway, is there more info on this? Sounds like it would be pretty cool.