Keith,
I mean no disrespect, because the first part of what you say is true. However, it also took a great deal of hard work to port ON to gcc, test it, and make the modified sources available while we finish getting the changes putback. Among the fruits of this labour is a legitimate choice in compilers, and I would do nothing to discourage anyone from using whatever compiler he prefers, or from using both and gaining valuable information about their performance characteristics.
I take no disrespect whatsoever. Giving the community a choice of compiler is absolutely laudable; as is the amount of work put in by all concerned. This is why I prefixed my post with <IMO>. I just had the feeling that for someone who is maybe setting out on the OpenSolaris road, that using Studio 10 would be easier - in this respect, I may be incorrect.
You may have noticed, if you are following them closely, that the gcc source drops and the "regular" source drops have been converging over time. In the near future, the gcc-specific drops will be gone, their changes integrated fully into ON. The choice of compilers is not going away, nor are the improved code quality and portability that choice brings to us.
I had not noticed the convergence - thanks for making me aware of this. I am sure that many people will welcome this convergence, and as you say, the choice of compiler and portability aspects.
One of your implied assertions is factually incorrect: that the gcc sources won't build with Studio 10. That's not true; we build gcc-gate with both compilers every day and both builds receive testing. In fact it is the "regular" sources that are defective in this regard; unlike the "gcc" sources, they are not portable across compilers.
Again, a very interesting point. This will certainly make the GCC enthusiasts very happy indeed.
I'll leave the question of correlation between cost and performance for another day.
That will be a very long and interesting day ;-) Many thanks for straightening me out, and enlightening me. Regards... Sean. _______________________________________________ opensolaris-help mailing list [email protected]
