Modula-2 and Pascal compilers for VAX Ultrix and BSD available

The Western Research Laboratory of Digital Equipment Cor-
poration is pleased to announce the availability of a new
version of their Modula-2 compiler for VAXes running Ultrix
or BSD. (The compiler has also been ported to the MIPS and
to VMS; these versions should be available ``soon.'')


The compiler was designed and built by Michael L. Powell,
and originally released in 1984. Joel McCormack has since
sped the compiler up, fixed lots of bugs, and stolen/written
a User's Manual. The compiler appears to be one of the best
compilers for the VAX in terms of efficiency of the gen-
erated code. The error messages are quite a bit better than
those from the Ultrix C compiler and the compile time is
about the same as cc and gcc. Further, the compiler
includes an intermodule checker that uses fine-grained
dependencies rather than timestamps, so you can modify
definition modules in upward-compatible ways without recom-
piling the world.


The compiler includes several extensions. The most notable
are: provisions for interfacing with procedures and data
types written in other languages like C and Pascal (a defin-
ition module for the X11 C library is included); dynamic
array variables, subarray parameters, and multi-dimensional
open array parameters; inline procedures; complete support
for the LONGFLOAT type; and a pseudo-module providing a
type-checked interface to the C library I/O routines.


In addition, the compiler front end can be conditionally
compiled to generate a Pascal compiler that accepts a
language almost identical to Berkeley Pascal. (Procedure
parameters are not supported, and record layout and parame-
ter passing conventions are somewhat different.)


The distribution also includes a program that does most of
the translation of Berkeley Pascal programs into Modula-2.


The compiler is available for anonymous ftp from
gatekeeper.dec.com, in the compressed tar file
/pub/DEC/Modula-2/m2.vax.tar.Z. Once you have copied this
file, you can uncompress it and untar it, like:


                     uncompress m2.vax.tar.Z
                     tar xf m2.vax.tar


>From there, read the README file, and the doc/installation.f
file.


The compiler is available to DEC sites over DECNET at
decwrl::/pub/DEC/Modula-2/m2.vax.tar.Z.


The compiler is also available by magnetic tape. Send a
check made out to Digital Equipment Corporation for $100 US
to:


                                    Director of Licensing
                                    Digital Equipment Corporation
                                    Western Research Laboratory
                                    100 Hamilton Avenue
                                    Palo Alto, CA 94301




Unlike the previous license, the new license does not res-
trict use of the compiler to educational institutions. The
license agreement is as follows:


------------------------------------------------------------
              Copyright 1984-1990 Digital Equipment Corporation
                                            All Rights Reserved


Permission to use, copy, and modify this software and its
documentation is hereby granted only under the following
terms and conditions. Both the above copyright notice and
this permission notice must appear in all copies of the
software, derivative works or modified versions, and any
portions thereof, and both notices must appear in supporting
documentation.


Users of this software agree to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, and hereby grant back to Digital a non-
exclusive, unrestricted, royalty-free right and license
under any changes, enhancements or extensions made to the
core functions of the software, including but not limited to
those affording compatibility with other hardware or
software environments, but excluding applications which
incorporate this software. Users further agree to use their
best efforts to return to Digital any such changes, enhance-
ments or extensions that they make and inform Digital of
noteworthy uses of this software. Correspondence should be
provided to Digital at:


                                    Director of Licensing
                                    Western Research Laboratory
                                    Digital Equipment Corporation
                                    100 Hamilton Avenue
                                    Palo Alto, California 94301


This software may be distributed (but not offered for sale
or transferred for compensation) to third parties, provided
such third parties agree to abide by the terms and condi-
tions of this notice.


THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORP.
DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE,
INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FIT-
NESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION BE
LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF
USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT,
NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.


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




If you have any questions, you can send mail to
                                    decwrl!modula-2
or
                                    modula-2@decwrl.dec.com
or
                                    decwrl::modula-2




This compiler has a number of internal and external users
and we feel it is quite reliable. However, new users often
find new bugs so we expect to hear from some of those who
try it. No promises about bug fixes or new releases,
though.


- Joel McCormack (decwrl!joel, joel@decwrl.dec.com)
--

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