Tamas Rudnai wrote:
>> Not a compiler, but I created a source to source translater long
>> ago.  On Windows I write in Pascal, convert that to C, compile the
>> C, throw out the C, and keep the binary.
>
> Sounds interesting. Would it work with PIC code too?

It could if there were a MPASM back end for it.  The translator has
completely independent front ends and back ends.  The front end parses the
input language and builds a description of the program in memory in
language-independent structures.  The back end then runs and writes the
program in the output language from the data in memory.

For the process described above, the Pascal front end and the C back end are
used.  It is theoretically possible to write a MPASM back end, but I haven't
done that yet.

One of the things in my mind as a background project is to not only write a
MPASM back end that would use the conventions of my existing PIC development
environment, but also create a front end for a language I'm calling M.  This
language is specifically targeted to small embedded systems where the
assumptions of most compilers break down.  For example, M inherently
understands different address spaces each with its own data width and
properties, it can be forced to bind certain elements to particular
processor resources, etc.  I'm also adding a few language constructs that
I've always thought other higher level languages should have, like more
flexible loop exiting.  M has a preprocessor defined as part of the language
spec.  This is a lot more powerful than the C preprocessor.  It's similar in
concept to my existing MPASM preprocessor, PREPIC.  The preprocessor is
essentially a reasonably complete interpreted programming language that is
run by the M compiler as a inherent part of its operation.

While this is all nice to think about and occasionally I make a little
progress, it's only one of many projects that would be nice to do but don't
have any real priority.  I can't way when, if ever, M will be available for
use.


********************************************************************
Embed Inc, Littleton Massachusetts, http://www.embedinc.com/products
(978) 742-9014.  Gold level PIC consultants since 2000.
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist