Message-ID: <333FF20A.59A2@mail.amsinc.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 10:19:06 -0700
From: Tom Hawker <Tom_Hawker_at_AMS-Notes@mail.amsinc.com>
Organization: American Management Systems, Inc.
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Subject: Re: smalltalk compiler
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Sarah Amin Whaind wrote:
> 
> I need detailed information reagrding the Smalltalk compiler.  When and to
> what extent does it compile the code? The necessity of OE20.exe. The need of
> the image and change file at runtime.
> 
> Is there any website or any book which will give me this information?

The VisualWorks smalltalk system is a two-stage compilation and
execution process.  The internal compiler reduces all methods to byte
codes, a specialized language for a virtual, stack based, message
sending machine.  The executable OE20 compiles methods on reference into
native machine code equivalents, which are cached in the N-Method Zone.

So yes, you need OE20.  Not only does it compile and execute the real
native code, it also contains all of the I/O support, DLL support,
memory management support, etc.

See other postings for possible Smalltalk systems that do a true
compile.

Tom Hawker
