[q-lang-users] Executables and modules

[Sean E. R. <se...@ge...>]

Hello again,

I have a few more questions that haven't been asked in the mailing list yet.

1) You knew some annoying person was bound to ask this, sooner or later: Dr=
=2E=20
Gr=C3=A4f, you chose to compile to bytecode; have you considered compiling =
to=20
native code, or to some other intermediate language that could be compiled =
to=20
native code? =20
	In addition to the two common reasons for wanting this -- speed and the=20
ability to make executables -- there is a third reason: interpreters add=20
another dependency failure point.  That is, yet one more dependency that=20
could change and cause an application to break.  In particular, interpreter=
s=20
are often more brittle than other dependencies (like libc), since they tend=
=20
to change more radically and more often.

2) Exactly why is Q's speed so similar to Haskell's?  The consensus appears=
 to=20
be that Haskell's lazy evaluation is (by and large) what kills it in=20
performance comparisons.  Q, however, is by default eager.  The interpreted=
=20
nature of Q (and evaluated Haskell) probably masks issues such as lazy/eage=
r=20
performance issues, but any thoughts on this are welcome.

3) Is the addons page a comprehensive source of libraries for Q?  For examp=
le,=20
one of the first things I look for a library for any language I research is=
 a=20
binding to SQLite, since I use it so much in a variety of projects.  Note=20
that I'm not *specifically* asking about SQLite bindings; I'm asking whethe=
r=20
there's an "RAA" (Ruby Application Archive,=20
http://raa.ruby-lang.org/index.html) for Q.

Thank you.

=2D-=20
=2D-- SER

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents,=20
more and more closely, the inner soul of the people.  On some=20
great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach=20
their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned=20
by a downright moron."        -  H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)