Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!ima!johnl From: johnl@ima.UUCP Newsgroups: mod.compilers Subject: Assembly language programming preferable to HLL ??? Message-ID: <277@ima.UUCP> Date: Wed, 3-Dec-86 09:47:58 EST Article-I.D.: ima.277 Posted: Wed Dec 3 09:47:58 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 3-Dec-86 22:33:16 EST Reply-To: Orr MichaelOrganization: National Semiconductor (Israel) Ltd. Lines: 36 Approved: Have you seen an article in "Computer Language" magazine of Oct. 86 about "Universal assembly language" ? This article claims that it is (always/usually) better to use assembly language rather than HLL. (any). this is based on the following claims: 1. The ONLY siginificant advantage of HLL is a shorter CODING time. 2. Design, documentation, testing time is (almost) the same in both cases. 3. The assembly program will run 2-5 times faster. 4. So, after enough runs of the program the coding time gap will be swallowed. From then on, the assembly program gains non-stop. Seems to me that this does not hold water. 1. No mention of changes/maintenance issues anywhere. 2. I strongly question ALL of the above assumptions. 3. As one of the compiler writers for NS , If assembler programs , as a rule , ran 2 times faster than our compiler, I would be greatly surprized and FIX THE COMPILER ! The autor also suggests a "UNIVERSAL ASSEMBLER" to run on many machines. I think FORTH already fits the bill, & has many other advantages. Any Comments, netlanders ? -- orr%nsta@nsc IBM's motto: Machines should work, People should think. Orr's remark: Neither do. Disclaimer: Opinions, come home. All is forgiven. Papa. -- Send compilers mail to ima!compilers or, in a pinch to Levine@YALE.EDU Plausible paths are { ihnp4 | decvax | cbosgd | harvard | yale | bbncca}!ima Please send responses to the originator of the message -- I cannot forward mail accidentally sent back to compilers. Meta-mail to ima!compilers-request