ordy (12/31/82)
Several weeks ago, I posted a request for VMS C Compiler information. I received several replies, and I would now like to summerize. First, thanks to those who responded. Here is a summary of the available compilers. * DECUS C compiler: Runs and compiles into compatability mode (PDP-11). Claimed to be free ($$). Partial language implementation, no support of floating data types. (I think I used this one once under RSX11. Several querks which required editing to port some Unix based code) * Whitesmiths C compiler: Considered a 'V6' flavor compiler. Totally nonstandard library, not even 'printf'. Costs $750. Same source code can compile across the range of target machines Whitesmiths sells for. Claimed to generate poor code. Requires initialized external variables. * Eunice C compiler: Part of the Unix emulation package. Claimed to be either the Ritchie C or PCC ported. $1500 - $5000 depending upon your type of institution (educational discounts I suppose). Environment is like 4.1 BSD. One site that had Whitesmiths quit using it when the got Eunice. * Unity C compiler: Part of the Unix emulation package. Claimed to be about $12K, but a complete Unix emulation. From HCR. Either the Ritchie C or PCC ported. * Homebrew C compiler: One respondent moved the Ritchie C compiler to VMS back in the 'dark ages' (before BSD). STDIO library worked with previous versions of VMS, not known about more recent ones. Missing things like 'fork', 'exec', and 'pipes'. The compiler was used to port Unix utilities to VMS. Free to Unix source licensees. No support possible. I have the address of the gentlemen holding the compiler, and in the interest of protecting him from tons of mail, I will give it out only if you mail me. * VMS-IS/1 C compiler: Part of the Interactive Systems Unix emulation package. Claimed to have been out the longest, and therefore most debugged. * DEC C compiler: This system generated the most interest. In fact, we decided it was the best, and now have it. External Comments: Claimed by some to produce good code, and by others poor code (!). Can interface to existing DEC symbolic debuggers. Fast, produces excellent error messages. The C manual itself (from DEC) is a good reference, and worth it even if you don't have the compiler (I agree). Currently ignores 'register' declarations. Costs about $7,500. Internal Comments: I forget the reasons, but we were able to get it for several thousand dollars less. Although the distribution kit is here, we have not brought it up, but if it works like the book claims, it should be exactly what we want. The library contains an almost complete set of Unix Programmers Manual Section 2/3 functions. Appears to have some 'Berkeley' influence in the selection of library functions, which for us is nice. There is the summary. I have edited down about 6 pages of responses to generate it, so some points are missing, and editing errors are possible. For those interested, I can mail you the entire set of replies I received. Thanks for the data, hope we made the right choice. Greg Ordy