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Managed Code for XBox 2?

Started by TerrySz Nov 21, 2003 at 11:37 PM 3 replies 750+ views

Original Post

Nov 21, 2003 at 11:37 PM

A quote from the following webpage, http://www.xbreporter.com/xbox_2_news.php "MSIL all the way The CPU for the Xbox 2 is rumoured to be designed to be a processor that can decode and execute instructions in Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) while at the same time being able to run x86 code, to remain compatible with Xbox 1." Doesn''t this sound like Microsoft might be planning on allowing developers to use managed languages, like those that use the Microsoft .Net Framework (C#, VB.Net, Managed VC++, etc.)? Terry

nick5454

Nov 21, 2003 at 11:39 PM

well thats great and all but its still JIT unless you compiled it natively. ANd oh yeah the docs for manage dx9 suck

hplus0603

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hplus0603

Nov 21, 2003 at 11:50 PM

I think the whole point of the quote was that it was NOT JIT; instead it was executing the MSIL instruction set directly. Somewhat like the ill-fated Java bytecode chips.

The problem with this kind of approach in CPU design is that the intermediate code is usually too complex, leading to a CISC CPU design; the only CISC CPU design that runs fast is x86, and that''s only because of market forces. There are no market forces that demand a fast MSIL chip; Microsoft''s needs notwithstanding.

I think that, if they try to execute MSIL, they will not have the benefit of the AMD/Intel competition driver, and they''ll fall hopelessly behind on the performance curve. Also, a lot of the performance questions of the MSIL is not with the bytecode (complex as it is) but with the runtime support.

eeeko

Nov 22, 2003 at 4:48 PM

well, if rumors are correct they will not use an intel architecture but something similar too a macintosh G5 processor from IBM. To remain compability they must work it somehow. Rumors are lovely!

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