[Oberon] Oberon Runtime Environment running Oberon byte-code

[Chris Burrows]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Oberon [mailto:oberon-bounces at lists.inf.ethz.ch] On Behalf Of
> Srinivas Nayak
> Sent: Monday, 29 February 2016 2:16 PM
> To: ETH Oberon and related systems
> Subject: [Oberon] Oberon Runtime Environment running Oberon byte-code
> 
> To my knowledge, Oberon programs needs a runtime environment with 1.
> command activation 2. garbage collection 3. dynamic loading of
> modules 4. certain run-time data structures
> 

1. No.
2. No.
3. No.
4. Yes - if you use record extensions.

> Although not part of the language, this environment is  implied by
> the language definition.

In earlier (1990's) revisions of the Oberon Language report that was true
but has not been the case since 2007. These are some of the reasons why
Oberon-07 is eminently suitable for developing embedded software for
microcontrollers. e.g. Astrobe Oberon programs fully comply with the
language definition but they are statically linked, native code,
microcontroller executables, with a single entry point, no runtime overheads
and no need for a garbage collector.  

> 
> If this is the case, like Java, would a Oberon Runtime Environment
> running Oberon byte-code have been better?

No need for speculation - try the JVM version of the Component Pascal
version of Oberon:

https://gpcp.codeplex.com/

> Is there a limitation in this scheme?

Refer to the following:

"Implementing languages other than Java on the Java Virtual Machine" Gough,
John & Corney, Diane (2000):

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/30165/

Regards,
Chris Burrows

CFB Software
http://www.cfbsoftware.com