DMD back end dev-kit

[Bill Baxter]

Robert Fraser wrote:
> John Reimer Wrote:
> 
>> Hello Bill,
>>
>>> It's been talked about before, but exactly how much money do the
>>> people who own the copyright to DMD's backend want in order to make it
>>> freely available freely -- as at least a lib?  It's hard to believe
>>> anyone would appraise that thing with a high dollar value given its
>>> less than stellar optimization abilities, and since everyone knows you
>>> can't make much money off dev tools these days anyway.
>>>
>>> I'd happily chip in $100 US if it meant finally having an official D
>>> compiler that anyone can recompile for themselves just by typing "make
>>> dmd".
>>>
>>> Or is it more a matter of not being able to find the copyright holders
>>> in question to ask them?  If so, give us the names and whatever info
>>> you have, and I bet someone will be able to track 'em down.
>>>
>>> --bb
>>>
>>
>> I'd give another $100.
>>
>> -JJR
> 
> "Economic Stimulus Act" FTW.
> 
> Seriously, though, there's GDC. Maybe LLVMDC, too. So while I wouldn't 
> say no to a compiling lib of the backend, is it really needed?

GDC's problem is that it is not well maintained.
LLVMDC's problem is that it just isn't there yet.

Until one of the above two situations changes, DMD will be the compiler 
I actually use.

And it's worth at least $100 to me in the mean time to be able to build 
a working version of the D compiler I actually use.  Being able to fix 
bugs for myself or with the help of the community means at least that 
much to me.

So it's not a question of whether it is "needed".  Obviously if it were 
really needed then none of us would be here on this NG.  D would have 
already failed.  It is wanted.  And the amount I want it right now is 
about $100-worth.

--bb