Re: Visual Parse++ alternatives

"Tad Deffler" <tdeffler@earthlink.net> writes:
> We have several copies of Visual Parse++ 5.0.
...
> Are there any other products that could use our existing work with minimal
> changes?


No matter what you do, you will probably have to convert the code you
have that interfaces with the library/generated code. Each tool tends
to have its own unique API. However, you might be able to outsource
that conversion effort. Many commercial tools have consulting
services that could perform that task. An open source/free software
tool may have a consultant list which you can contact.


One of the features of VP++ is that it supports LR+regular expressions
(in the RHS of rules). There are plenty of LL+regular expression
tools, but the number of LR+regular expression tools is somewhat
limited. Yacc++ (see disclainer at the end) is one. Paul Mann is
apparently resurrecting LRgen, which would be another.


A GLR based tool, such as the DMS toolkit, might also have regular
expression on the RHS support. There are also open source/free
software GLR toolkits. There is a whole list of toolkits and vendors
in the catalog that was just published. If you ask each of them, they
can probably say yes or no to your question(s).


The other feature of VP++ was that you could access the API from a
variety of languages. However, that was simply that the library and
generated code could be packaged into a DLL and any tool should be
able to provide that functionality. I don't think that VP++ generated
output in a variety of languages, although there are tools that have
backends which do just that.


----------------------------------------------------------------------


As to contacting SandStone, I empathize. I tried contacting them
myself to see if I could arrange to pickup the task of providing
support etc. for their product. However, no response.


If anyone does get in contact with them, I would appreciate having my
offer mentioned to them, so that I could discuss things with them.


Same things goes for other tools that have active user communities but
developers who would like to move on. I have already entered into
very fruitful negotiations with Etienne Gagnon, and some features of
SableCC may get incorporated into Yacc++. Paul Mann, Terence Parr,
Quinn Tyler Jackson, and I also have sporadic conversations.


----------------------------------------------------------------------


Disclaimer:


I was one of the authors of Yacc++ and now its principle developer. I
am likely to profit from any Compiler Resources, Inc. related contacts.


Hope this helps,
-Chris


*****************************************************************************
Chris Clark Internet : compres@world.std.com
Compiler Resources, Inc. Web Site : http://world.std.com/~compres
23 Bailey Rd voice : (508) 435-5016
Berlin, MA 01503 USA fax : (978) 838-0263 (24 hours)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return to the comp.compilers page.
Search the comp.compilers archives again.