Franz Inc. makes a good living from Lisp. We'd like to make it clear
that Lisp is not dying, is not dead, and is accomodating itself quite
well to modern hardware platforms and business practices. Franz Inc.
has specifically addressed the issue of delivery, in terms of both
size and runtime cost.
Lisp includes large function libraries, which contribute to Lisp's
usefulness for prototyping and developing large, complex applications.
As others have mentioned, if you want functionality, you have to
accept that it will require resources. But if you need a leaner Lisp
image, we also have a solution for you.
Franz Inc.'s Allegro CL 4.0 product includes Allegro Presto, a runtime
delivery system. Allegro Presto can be used to safely compress the
size of your Lisp image for both development and delivery, decreasing
the amount of memory you need to run the Lisp effectively and
localizing functions and data so that the Lisp runs faster and more
efficiently.
Allegro Presto dynamically loads only the functions that your
application needs and then freezes this definition for delivery.
Functions not included in the Lisp image but required by the
application are automatically loaded in from the disk libraries.
Allegro Presto also includes special performance features that can
further "lighten" your code.
With Allegro Presto, the Lisp can be as complete or as lean as the
application demands. If you don't need all the functionality of lisp,
you can have a small lisp image. Currently, Allegro Presto has been
able to reduce application's executable file by up to 50 percent.
Franz is continuing to work on ways to further improve the feasibility
of Lisp application delivery.
Franz also offers a low cost runtime licensing option, which permits
developers to deliver applications with Allegro CL inexpensively and
easily. Allegro Runtime is available for a one-time licensing fee,
plus 2 percent of the delivered product's revenues. With this pricing
structure, non-commercial applications can be delivered royalty-free,
and commercial applications can be delivered at a low cost.
With Allegro Presto and Allegro Runtime, Allegro CL 4.0 can be
considered a competitive vehicle for efficient delivery of
applications on Unix workstations.
For more information, contact ····@franz.com.
--
Elizabeth Shook, Franz Inc. 1995 University Avenue, Suite 275
······@Franz.COM (internet) Berkeley, CA 94704
uunet!franz!eshook (uucp) Phone: (415) 548-3600; FAX: (415) 548-8253