Delphi/C++Builder apps cannot be run on the Apple watch and delivered through the App Store. It's the same for AppleTV. The reason is that the applications are not built down to machine code; rather they're held in an Intermediate Representation (IR) form. Apple then translates this code to machine instructions for delivery to the device.
It is my understanding that the IR is, essentially, LLVM IR. Given that, it is certainly possible for the tools to generate IR into the images. However, all the subtle issues this brings up, such as debugging, IR code-gen differences, etc... makes this a very non-trivial task. What if the codegenerator Apple uses expects the IR to be patterned from their version of the CLANG front-end? That could mean that IR from other tools, while adhering to the functional spec, might generate sub-optimal code at best and incorrect code at worst. Imagine trying to debug that nightmare.
I will also point out that should Apple decide that all AppStore apps for all iOS devices be delivered in IR form... that would mean that RAD Studio is now out of the iOS market. Unless the tools were updated to generate IR instead of ARM machine code, one could never deliver an iOS app with RAD.
Allen Bauer - thanks for caring to jump in here on behalf of your ex-employer. IMO a noble attitude showing that you care for your craft. What do you think how probable is "should Apple decide that all AppStore apps for all iOS devices be delivered in IR form... that would mean that RAD Studio is now out of the iOS market. "? That seems to be a tremendous risk for my preferred X-plattform development tool.
/sub
ReplyDelete/sub
ReplyDeleteDelphi/C++Builder apps cannot be run on the Apple watch and delivered through the App Store. It's the same for AppleTV. The reason is that the applications are not built down to machine code; rather they're held in an Intermediate Representation (IR) form. Apple then translates this code to machine instructions for delivery to the device.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that the IR is, essentially, LLVM IR. Given that, it is certainly possible for the tools to generate IR into the images. However, all the subtle issues this brings up, such as debugging, IR code-gen differences, etc... makes this a very non-trivial task. What if the codegenerator Apple uses expects the IR to be patterned from their version of the CLANG front-end? That could mean that IR from other tools, while adhering to the functional spec, might generate sub-optimal code at best and incorrect code at worst. Imagine trying to debug that nightmare.
I will also point out that should Apple decide that all AppStore apps for all iOS devices be delivered in IR form... that would mean that RAD Studio is now out of the iOS market. Unless the tools were updated to generate IR instead of ARM machine code, one could never deliver an iOS app with RAD.
Allen Bauer I'm your fan :D Thanks a lot, your explanations are very pleasant.
ReplyDeleteAllen Bauer - thanks for caring to jump in here on behalf of your ex-employer. IMO a noble attitude showing that you care for your craft. What do you think how probable is "should Apple decide that all AppStore apps for all iOS devices be delivered in IR form... that would mean that RAD Studio is now out of the iOS market. "? That seems to be a tremendous risk for my preferred X-plattform development tool.
ReplyDeletehttp://thenextweb.com/apple/2015/06/17/apples-biggest-developer-news-at-wwdc-that-nobodys-talking-about-bitcode/#gref