ObjC and speed for Smalltalk interpretation

[Stefan Urbanek]

Hi all,

I have a question:

Currently the Smalltalk interpreter for StepTalk is using bytecodes. Basically 
they are pop, push, send, return and few others. I was thinking about another 
solution, and that is to compile into some kind of command-object hierarchy 
(reflecting source code) isntead of bytecodes and execute it command by command 
by sending it a message. I think, that some optimalisations can be done using 
that kind of execution, however, i am not expert in that and therefore I would 
like  to ask you.

For example: command MessageSendCommand with method: 
executeInContext:environment:receiver:

Perhaps some message sends (fetching a bytecode, object manipulation, ...) can 
be saved with that... Or not? I think that CommandObjects can adapt to the 
execution process to create kind of speed up (caching per command in loops for 
example).

What is better way to go?

Ideas?

Stefan Urabenk
--
http://stefan.agentfarms.net

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you 
win.
- Mahatma Gandhi