Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 18 Nov 1998 14:24:47 +0000 | From | "Manuel J. Galan" <> | Subject | Re: Linux-asm (was A patch for linux 2.1.127) |
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"Richard B. Johnson" wrote: > > On Tue, 17 Nov 1998, Manuel J. Galan wrote: > > > Some common places and/or common sense: > > > > * UNIX was built on C and C was built for UNIX. > > > > Unix was built on a Digital PDP-11/34, using tools available > in the RSX-11 Digital Operation system. Most of the 'hardware stuff' > was done in DEC MACRO Assembly under RSX-11. > > 'C' came later.
So what comes first the chicken or the egg? :)
> > > * UNIX/C were devised with portability in mind. > > > > Unix and C are not the same thing. Once Unix was running, a > 'C' compiler was built (from the ideas of 'B') so that the > machine would not have to be rebooted to get at the DEC tools > to continue development.
But they were devised with _portability_ in mind.
> > > * To speed up your programs, improve your algorithms. > > ( i.e. see last posting by Benoit Poulot-Cazajous) > > > > 'C' is a tool. That's all. There are other tools available > which, combined, are known as a 'programming environment'. >
Yes but C is portable and ASM is not!
> > > * Linus himself seems to be quite a good assembler > > programmer but he made Linux kernel in C, (hint, hint...) > > > > Using Linus' name is a usual trick. He did not make the kernel > in 'C'. It was made using various tools including assembler and > GNU extensions that are implemented within the GNU Compiler. > Check the ../linux/arch/.. directories and the ../linux/include/asm > directories before you leap to such a conclusion. > > Further, much of the new 'C' libraries are written in assembly. > Basically, the hard stuff is written in assembly so you can make > portable code that runs reasonably well.
I am not a C fundamentalist and for sure that some asm is needed in specific parts... But kernel is built on 'C' (99.99%) and I like it as it is. I am a human being and I do NOT want to be assimilated to the BORG! :)
> > Cheers, > Dick Johnson > ***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ***** > Penguin : Linux version 2.1.127 on an i686 machine (400.59 BogoMips). > Warning : It's hard to remain at the trailing edge of technology.
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