Experts work to aid compiler behind open source

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Let's put the REAL issues on the table

Linux (or Unix) was not designed to run unknown binaries. Unlike MS Windows (or other proprietary OS), out-of-the-box compatibility was not the intend. If I want to optimize my binaries, I customize my gcc on MY machine and compile it to MY specifications.

Here are the real issues: 1) more and more people expects Linux/Unix to run like MS Windows; 2) less and less people knows what they're doing when they dive their heads into Linux; 3) hardware developers got used to the proprietary model and refuse to release their code; 4) more and more software developers (on Linux side) do not want to release their code so they can make some money. Not releasing the source isn't the problem, it's that they also refuse to (or can't) compile binaries on a per customer bases.

Creating a common driver interface sounds simple enough, but it's next to impossible on Linux. An interface that encapsulate all possible combinations is going to be bulky as hell, and I won't want any part of it near my kernel.

Unless the interface is "hard-wired" to the kernel, there'll always be others like me opt not to use it, thus defeating the whole idea behind the word "common".

Besides, the bulkiness of a common driver interface would kill any kind of speed optimizations on the hardware side. Not all hardwares have low data rates like a mouse, you know.

So it comes full circle - to optimize the driver, it needs to be compiled on the machine. There are just too many sacrifices to be made behind the word "common".

Posted by: toomuchgreeatea@...   Posted on: 05/07/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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