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The thing is, if you make the definition too generic, everything turns out to be a compiler. For instance, Photoshop is a compiler that turns commands in the UI
by wlievens 17y ago
The thing is, if you make the definition too generic, everything turns out to be a compiler. For instance, Photoshop is a compiler that turns commands in the UI (the input language) into PSD files (the output language). It's a lot harder to define terms like "compiler" than it actually seems.
- eru 17y agoAnd you have to differentiate your definition for 'compiler' from 'interpreter'. And point out, that those two sit on opposite ends of the same spectrum.
- wlievens 17y agoEven that is a fuzzy barrier. You have lots of languages that have the compiler built-in to the runtime environment (Smalltalk, and I guess most lisps?). Anything with JIT blurrs the line, too.
- eru 17y agoYes, that's what I was trying to say by mentioning a "spectrum". Threaded interpreters are also closer to compilers than most.