Richard Matthias (richardm@cogs.susx.ac.uk) wrote:
> Is there a name for languages like pop11 and SML that require a runtime
> system to execute their programs. I am referring to the heap management etc.
> This is as opposed to languages like C and Pascal that translate directly into
> machine language.
>
> Essential the question is: What is the opposite of a "systems programming
> language" ?
Errr, but you can't run any but the simplest C program without linking it
against runtime libraries like "malloc" etc. So what's the difference
between dynamic module linking (C) and running a layered, saved image on
top of a base executable (Poplog)?
E.g. it's easy to write a Pop11 program that allocates no extra store at
runtime so it doesn't need the garbage collector...
Ian.
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