David Harper wrote:

> I think the question was why doesn't Embarcadero write the new 64-bit 
> compiler and/or cross-compiler in Delphi.

Yes, indeed. I said the fact they couldn't find a useful compiler
generator can't be the reason.
 

> My guesses would be 1) because a lot of the existing C code of the
> 32-bit compiler can be reused, and 2) folks who are experts at
> writing compilers use C (C++).

My guess is that they don't want to rewrite the compiler. The original
TP/Delphi 1 compiler was written in assembler, and rewritten in C for
Delphi 2. From there on, it was only modified/enhanced.


Rewriting has one severe disadvantage: it is error prone. Even if they
just translated the code from C to Delphi, the chance they'd introduce
errors would be considerable. The fact they must change code generation
is already a big source of possible errors.
-- 
Rudy Velthuis (TeamB)        http://www.teamb.com


"I have yet to meet a C compiler that is more friendly and easier 
 to use than eating soup with a knife." -- unknown