Mmastodon TechnologySoftware first seen 9 h ago, last 6 h ago, peak #8

Software veterans debate the compiler versus interpreter divide

Original: Fascinating analysis, @ valhalla . I have spent my career (since I did graduate school in programming language internals

Software freedom activist Bradley M. Kuhn is praising an analysis by fellow developer valhalla about the long-standing compiler versus interpreter distinction. Kuhn, whose graduate work focused on programming language internals, says he spent his career treating the division as a question of how language implementations are built, and admits he had never considered the framing raised in the discussion. The exchange is drawing attention from developers interested in language design.

Why now: Programmers enjoy re-examining fundamental assumptions about familiar technical distinctions, and this exchange offers a fresh take from respected figures.

Bradley M. Kuhnvalhallacopyleft.org

Open on mastodon →

Evidence

• Fascinating analysis, @ valhalla . I have spent my career (since I did graduate school in programming language internals) focused on the (false) interpreter/compiler dichotomy as a question of what the language *implementation* looked like. I've never considered the question… · bkuhn@copyleft.org · 8

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/1990832