According to Mike Long:
> >and the loader generates the code on the fly as it loads..
> 
> The OSF has something like this.  They call it ANDF
> (Architecture-Neutral Distribution format).  The intention is to be
> able to distribute one binary for multiple systems/architectures,
> without having to reveal proprietary source code.  It's similar to the
> RTL that gcc uses to communicate between its front- and back ends.
> 
> IMHO, the equivalent of a compiler back end would be a bit much to
> stick into the kernel. :-)

this is true, though the results of the system that was tested was that
the executables were much smaller, and loaded quicker..  so you lose a
bit on kernel bloat but gain much on binary sizes..

I found the web reference too.. 

<http://www.inf.ethz.ch/department/publications/diss.html>

]ain