break-even point

break-even point
 n.

   In the process of implementing a new computer language, the point at
   which the language is sufficiently effective that one can implement
   the language in itself. That is, for a new language called,
   hypothetically, FOOGOL, one has reached break-even when one can write
   a demonstration compiler for FOOGOL in FOOGOL, discard the original
   implementation language, and thereafter use working versions of FOOGOL
   to develop newer ones. This is an important milestone; see {MFTL}.

   Since this entry was first written, several correspondents have
   reported that there actually was a compiler for a tiny Algol-like
   language called Foogol floating around on various {VAXen} in the early
   and mid-1980s. A FOOGOL implementation is available at the
   Retrocomputing Museum http://www.catb.org/retro/.
    

break-even point

   In the process of implementing a new computer language, the
   point at which the language is sufficiently effective that one
   can implement the language in itself.  That is, for a new
   language called, hypothetically, FOOGOL, one has reached
   break-even when one can write a demonstration compiler for
   FOOGOL in FOOGOL, discard the original implementation
   language, and thereafter use working versions of FOOGOL to
   develop newer ones.  This is an important milestone.  See {My
   Favourite Toy Language}.

   [There actually is a language called {Foogol}].