Software Architecture of Parrot

[Klaas-Jan Stol]

Hi,

Currently I'm doing a course 'Software Architecture' for my Master 
Computer Science. For this course, I have to write a paper on some 
subject that has to do with software architecture. Therefore, I proposed 
to write a paper on the architecture of Parrot, and today I got approval 
of this subject from my Professor :-).

The idea of the paper is to describe the architecture of the current 
state of Parrot, and maybe some future plans. It should be about 5 to 10 
pages long, but I expect to write about 15-20. I'd like to start with 
the reasons for writing Parrot (why not an existing VM), and continue 
with design decisions for all the main components (so for instance, why 
not ref.counting-GC, but a DOD/GC.)

Maybe, if the document is ready, it may be a good introduction for new 
people interested in Parrot. I'm looking forward to writing it, 
especially I can finally do something in return for all the help I 
already got (I wrote my Bachelor thesis on Lua/Parrot).

Of course, it may turn out that some information I collect is outdated 
or I misinterpreted it. I hope some of you are willing to proof-read it, 
as it develops, to prevent incorrect information in the paper.

Kind regards,

Klaas-Jan