Re: Compilers

[sandeep <sandeep@codito.com>]

> Given that currently the ELKS kernel is about 70kB of code, a little 
> problematic given the 64kB limit, anything that will make the code smaller is 
Apart from using ways/tools to get smaller code to fit it 64KB, I guess couple 
of other options should also be possible. If you see elks features wish-list, 
with more wishes fulfilled it might not be possible to have it fit in 64KB, may 
be unless entire OS is handcoded in assembly and tweaks/hacks applied here and 
there as needed to produce mainly smaller (faster) code.

1. something like loadable modules / overlays that can help here. these overlays 
  needn't be overlays in dos .OVL file ways but part of executable, and 
executable header gives information about these. yeah it will require sllightly 
different/ modified executable format to be devised.

2. even if code and data for elks kernel is more than 64 KB, that will not be a 
problem if this code and data is not moved around b/w memory and disk, i.e. once 
loaded it stays there till reboot. within kernel code you can even have far 
pointers stored even as local variables.

-- 
regards
sandeep
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Loose bits sink chips.
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