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EDG C++ front-end goes public

249 points · 129 comments · iandinwoodie

  1. kccqzy · · focus · HN ↗
    If I remember correctly, EDG was the only C++ implementation that actually attempted to implement the export keyword for templates in old C++. It was this implementation experience that informed the deprecation of export. EDG is a major influence in the development of C++.
    1. pjmlp · · focus · HN ↗
      Yes, it was also where C++26 static reflection was prototyped, as another example of its influence.

      One of EDG developers prototyped his idea, and brought it to WG21 when it seemed reflection as originally thought for C++17 was never happening.

    2. bluGill · · focus · HN ↗
      Slight correction, the other compiler/front end writers more or less read the white paper and said "that is what we thought it would be like and thus why we didn't implement it".

      Imagine telling your competitors not to copy some feature you have and them listening!

    3. crackez · · focus · HN ↗
      Prof. John Potter told me they were the only frontend that correctly implement multiple inheritance for c++98. He thought very highly of EDG... For old time c++ folks, he was a mod on comp.lang.c++.moderated and a very cool teacher. So I hope I remember his lessons correctly...
      1. daveedvdv · · focus · HN ↗
        Oh, you had him as a teacher? That's awesome. I met him and his family 25+ years ago while they were vacationing in California... and they were all great! He was also at the Morristown WG21 meeting, where C++98 was voted out (in November 1997). (I co-moderated comp.lang.c++.moderated with John. For several years he was the person that kept it alive.)
        1. crackez · · focus · HN ↗
          He was my advisor during undergrad; I had him for everything like C++, Assembly, data structures, operating systems, systems programming, an independent study, and he put me on the path to Unix guru.

          His wife Anne was one of my professors as well (Cobol). I promised her I would never get a job writing Cobol. Unbroken.

          Incredibly smart people...

          1. daveedvdv · · focus · HN ↗
            It warms my heart to hear it!
          2. KerrAvon · · focus · HN ↗
            Just curious, was she happy or unhappy about that promise?
          3. keyle · · focus · HN ↗
            Pretty easy promise to keep :)
      2. butterisgood · · focus · HN ↗
        He was my advisor in college
        1. crackez · · focus · HN ↗
          Me too.
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