[virtmach] Implementing VMs efficiently

[Stephen Pelc]

From:           	Sean McDirmid <mcdirmid@cs.utah.edu>
> But usually if the cost-sensitive nodes are receiving the code over a
> network they are with communication of large computing resources that can
> do sophisticated back-end compilation on their behalf. I've toyed with
> this in a couple projects (kimera.cs.washington.edu,
> www.cs.utah.edu/~mcdirmid/ghost).

I'll have a look at the references. Thank you.

The problem with using external resources is that the node 
vendor now has to expose implementation details. In many cases a 
back-end linker is now required, and the program delivery 
mechanism now has to know about the target node. This defeats 
the primary objective of many virtual machine implementations 
for cost-sensitive applications. Having program servers is fine 
in a workstation/PC environment such as ANDF and its incarnation 
in OSF, but becomes a maintenance and certification nightmare 
for embedded systems.

I believe that tuning the VM for easy back-end compilation is a 
more commercially viable approach.

--
Stephen Pelc, sfp@mpeltd.demon.co.uk
MicroProcessor Engineering Ltd - More Real, Less Time
133 Hill Lane, Southampton SO15 5AF, England
tel: +44 1703 631441, fax: +44 1703 339691
web: http://www.mpeltd.demon.co.uk