pal%wisc-crys@sri-unix.UUCP (12/13/83)
From: Anil A. Pal <pal@wisc-crys>
I am considering buying the RR software Janus (ADA-like) compiler.
Does anyone out have any experience with this product? Specifically, I
am interested in the following (and any other comments people have).
1. Is it a reasonable alternative to Pascal/MT+? That is, can it be
used for most of the same applications, does it have the same
extensions for hardware and operating-system dependent stuff (like
absolute addresses, access to BDOS, random-access disk IO, etc).
2. How much of ADA(tm) is in there, and what (if any) "indispensable"
features are missing?
3. Does it compile in a reasonable, finite time?
4. Is it small enough to allow non-trivial programs to be compiled in
limited memory (64K) and disk (2 x 180K) space?
5. Is the expanded "system development" package worth the extra 100
bucks (400 vs. 300)?
6. Any serious bugs?
7. Support?
8. Particularly nice features?
9. Particularly bad features?
Since the answers to many of these questions will be dependent on the
system the compiler is used on, I shoulkdd point out that I am
interested in the 8-bit CPM-based version, to run on an Osborne 1 (64K,
double density=2 x 185K, no hard disk. All comments appreciated, I
will collect mail responses and forward to anyone who is interested, or
post if there is sufficient interest.
Incidentally, please do not flame at me about how much more wonderful
language X is, and what an idiot I am for considering PASCAL and JANUS
when FOOBAR exists. Thanks ,
Anil Pal Univ. of Wisconsin CS dept.
You can reach me at...
PAL@UWISC , PAL@WISC-CRYS (ARPA)
...{seismo,ihnp4}!crystal!pal (USENET)
The address shown in the header of this message.
if all else fails, reply to the list (but ONLY as a last resort, please!)
.p.s. ADA is a trademark of the US Govt., ADA joint Program OfficePOURNE%mit-mc@sri-unix.UUCP (12/23/83)
From: Jerry E. Pournelle <POURNE@mit-mc> it compiles itself. it is not fast, but not too slow either. it is useful, but for production work in CP/M systems I would prefer MT+ or Modula-2. However, if the objective is to get familiar with Ada, Janus is the best of the micro implementations, and ain't bad as something to write reasonable programs in (if you consider ada reasonable to begin with).