[DotGNU]libffi vs ffcall

[Rhys Weatherley]

Stephen Compall wrote:

> `ffcall libraries (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)'
>       This is a library that provides stack frame handling for
>       NSInvocation and NSConnection. This library is highly recommended.
>       The previous builtin method for stack frame handling is no longer
>       supported and may be removed in the future.  ffcall is under GNU
>       GPL. As a special exception, if used in GNUstep or in derivate
>       works of GNUstep, the included parts of ffcall are under GNU LGPL.
> 
> `libffi library (OPTIONAL)'
>       This is a library that provides stack frame handling for
>       NSInvocation and NSConnection similar to ffcall. However, libffi
>       is not as well tested as ffcall so you should not use it unless
>       you are familiar with potential problems. Use this instead of
>       ffcall. You don't need both.

It appears that the most recent version of ffcall, 1.8, dates back to
January 2001.  Whereas libffi is part of the gcc tree, and has the
possibility of being actively maintained by the gcc community.

While ffcall seems to be more complete, I would feel happier if there
was active maintainence of the project.

Cheers,

Rhys.