Metaprogramming and
Free Availability of Sources
Two Challenges for Computing Today1
François-René Rideau
francoisrene.rideau@cnet.francetelecom.fr
http://www.tunes.org/~fare

CNET DTL/ASR (France Telecom) 2
38--40 rue du general Leclerc
92794 Issy Moulineaux Cedex 9, FRANCE
Abstract:

We introduce metaprogramming in a completely informal way, and sketch out a theory of it. We explain why it is a major stake for computing today, by considering the processes underlying software development. We show, from the same perspective, how metaprogramming is related to another challenge of computing, the free availability of the sources of software, and how these two phenomena naturally complement each other.