																			3/10/96
								The JUMP compiler Version 0.8
                                -----------------------------


Overview
--------
JUMP is a bytecode compiler made for compiling an extended JAVA* code. JUMP generates 
bytecode, that can be executed with a JAVA bytecode interpreter.


Features of JUMP
----------------
JUMP is completely written in C++ and therefore a high performance compiler 
allowing very short turnaround cycles while developing programs.

JUMP allows compilation of programs written in JAVA and generates a bytecode, 
that can be executed on all platforms where a JAVA compatible interpreter is available.

JUMP currently extends the JAVA language in enabling the programmer to use operator 
overloading in the code. Operator overloading is a very powerful feature, that can
make the use of classes ( e.g. mathematical classes ) very natural and easy. The syntax
for the operator overloading is the same as in C++ ( see the example "complex.java" ).
Operator overloading in a language with automatic garbage collection like JAVA is even 
more easy and powerful than in a language like C++, where the programmer is responsible 
for deleting all objects at the right time, which often makes it difficult to provide and
use classes wich use operator overloading.

JUMP extends the JAVA language in enabling the programmer to use default parameters in
method declarations. Default parameters allow the programmer to call the same method
with different numbers of parameters. The compiler automatically provides the missing
parameters with the specified default values.


Known Bugs
----------
The alpha release of JUMP is releatively stable but it might crash in some cases of 
syntactical errors in the compiled code.

The finally clause is right now not handled correctly in all cases.


Bugreports
----------
If you want to report a bug, please send an EMail to the address below. You should provide the 
smallest piece of code that makes a reproduction of the error possible.


Future plans
------------
The current alpha version has the release number 0.8. That means that about 80% of a 1.0 
release version should be done.

The beta version of JUMP (V 0.9) should be available in the first half of May 1996. 
It will be stable in all cases.

The release version of JUMP (V 1.0) should be available in May or June 1996.
It will cover further code optimization( mainly inlining of methods ), eventually
user-defined conversion and might also be available under other platforms than Windows**.


Feedback and constact
---------------------
Please send your feedback to:

Compuserve:		Detlef Hoeffner,100572.746
Email:			100572.746@compuserve.com

*JAVA is a trademark of Sun Micorsystems, Inc. 
**Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.


Disclaimer
----------
JUMP Copyright (C) 1996 by Detlef Hoeffner.

DISCLAIMER: THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT ANY
WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS
ALL LIABILITY FOR DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING
FROM USE OF THIS PROGRAM.
