.NET Native Compilation Preview Released 217
atrader42 (687933) writes "Microsoft announced a new .NET compiler that compiles .NET code to native code using the C++ compiler backend. It produces performance like C++ while still enabling .NET features like garbage collection, generics, and reflection. Popular apps have been measured to start up to 60% faster and use 15% less memory. The preview currently only supports Windows Store applications, but is expected to apply to more .NET applications in the long term. A preview of the compiler is available for download now. (Caveat: I both work for MS and read Slashdot.)"
Open source compiler (Score:5, Interesting)
They also open-sourced their new C# compiler:
http://roslyn.codeplex.com/ [codeplex.com]
Translator? (Score:3, Interesting)
compiles .NET code to native code using the C++ compiler backend
Can it output the generated C++ source?
Re:I thought April fools was 2 days ago? (Score:4, Interesting)
It actually sounds like gcj.
Re:Native Image Generator (Score:2, Interesting)
That doesn't sound like a proper native compiler:
The Native Image Generator (Ngen.exe) is a tool that improves the performance of managed applications. Ngen.exe creates native images, which are files containing compiled processor-specific machine code, and installs them into the native image cache on the local computer. The runtime can use native images from the cache instead of using the just-in-time (JIT) compiler to compile the original assembly.
Yes, it does produce native code.
No, it doesn't produce an executable, ready for redistribution.
I do not disagree with the approach, but there is still the difference. If done right, it might be a blessing: code is optimized for the local CPU. If done poorly (as MS likes to do it sometimes) it might mean irreproducible bugs or performance regressions and outright no effect at all, if cache gets corrupted somehow.