The plan is to implement the following modules (and related ones not
yet realized).  If anyone wants to help, please let me know.  Also, if
anyone has any feedback, please respond.  All modules except the Boot
modules shall be implemented in Smalltalk.  After we have a working
Squid kernel then we can port Squeak code to it.

Cheers,
Anthony

Boot

Parses the command line, loads the named squid file, and executes its
boot method with the rest of the command line string as it argument.

Method Execution

Method bytecodes are translated to machine code, if not already, and
then executed.  Each method maintains a pointer to its machine code. 
Translated code still manipulates its own Smalltalk object stacks. 
Bytecodes are low-level like machine code.

Translator

The translator translates bytecodes to machine code using a
platform-specific machine code generator (conversion table).  The
translator and generator is written in Smalltalk.

Segments

Each squid file contains a segment of objects.  Objects can point to
objects in other segments, using cross pointers.  Following a cross
pointer causes the target segment to be loaded, if not already.  Files
are kept in sync with with their loaded segments (mmap) maintaining
persistence without explicit saving.  Cross pointers may cross machine
boundaries.

Remote Pointers

Cross pointers across machines must be established and maintain and
robust against failure.  When accessing a remote field or invoking a
remote method execution can move to the remote machine or the
object can move or be replicated to the local machine.

Garbage Collection

Garbage collection is performed on each segment individually.  It is
written in Smalltalk and runs in its own segment, thus allowing the
algorithm to utilize full Smalltalk power, ie. object creation.

C Interface

There is no VM.  The native OS and machine are accessed via C library
functions called directly from Smalltalk.  C calls transfer args from
the Smalltalk stack to the C stack and vice versa.

Modules

A Smalltalk module defines a set of selector methods, classes, and class
methods, and imports a set of other modules whose public methods and
classes are accessible.  A selector method is a method that stands alone
and is called directly.  A class method overrides a selector method and
cannot be called directly.  A selector method may delegate to the
receiver's class if desired.  Only class method can access fields of the
receiver.  Delegation looks up the class method in the sender's module
(including visible imports) and the class's module.

Compiler

Translate Smalltalk source into Squid bytecodes.  The closure compiler
is a start for this.

Dynamic Optimizer

Add profilers and inline heavily used code.  The inlined code is
bytecode which is then translated to machine code.