Re: [rvm-research] GSoC 2013 Call for Jikes RVM project proposals

Hi,

On 20.03.2013 18:30, Eliot Moss wrote:
> I wonder whether we should pick up the thread on any of these
> ideas:
> 
> - A better register allocator (got bogged down in complex
>    particulars, particularly for x86)

Which approach do you envision for this project? Should the register
allocator be replaced at one go or is the plan to refactor the subsystem
to make the register allocator pluggable and switch at some later point?

> 
> - A Quick Compiler that does simple optimization and some use
>    of registers, possibly modeled after existing dynamic code
>    generation systems such as that of QEMU

Is this intended as a replacement of or a supplement to the baseline
compilers?

> 
> - Opt compiler for 64-bit x86
> 

x64 support would certainly be a great addition if we can find a student
with suitable skills. IMHO such a project should have a strong focus on
regularly merging code to mainline. If that does not happen, we'll end
up in the same situation that we're in right now: we have contributions
for x64 support (e.g. DaFeng's patch set for RVM-977 and potentially
additional code in MRP) but we're too short on time to merge it.

> - Any steps that might bring us closer to easier / automated
>    porting

IMHO more tests are always helpful but I assume you had something
different in mind. Could you please elaborate?

> 
> - Java 7
> 
> - Java 8

Adding support for later Java versions would definitively be useful.
IMHO such projects should have a strong focus on testing. Our compliance
with the JVM spec is bad enough as it is and we'll likely never get
access to the JCK.


Kind regards,

Erik Brangs

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