info-mac@uw-beaver (01/29/85)
From: Mark H. Nodine <mnodine@BBNH.ARPA> Let me start by clarifying that I am talking about the Modula-2 compiler which is put out by Volition Systems, NOT that put out by Modula Corp, which has been talked about before on this mailing list. First let me address the comment made earlier about VS having filed Chapter 11. I have heard second-hand from somebody who talked directly with the company that they have, in fact, filed for reorganization under Chapter 11. I would emphasize that this means REORGANIZATION not BANKRUPTCY. The reason for this filing, as I understand it, is a problem which they have had between the two founders of the company, one of whom left with many of the assets of the company. They are currently involved in litigation to recover from the damages, but in the meantime, they needed some protection from their creditors. It is my feeling that they are quite likely to survive this, so I don't feel that anybody should avoid doing business with them for fear that they well soon go the way of the hula hoop. Having said that, I have recently received a product announcement and order form for their Modula-2 compiler/run-time environment (read p-code interpreter) for the MacIntosh. They have two versions of the Modula-2: one runs on the 128K Mac and costs $195, the other runs on the 512K Mac and costs $295. They have a special deal that allows you to deduct $70 from either if you order before February 14. As far as I can tell, the difference in price comes solely from the inclusion of ASE with the 512K version. ASE (Advanced Screen Editor), according to another friend, is an outstanding editor, and is well worth the $100. This friend has used the Volition Systems Modula-2 compiler and ASE on a Sage computer (also a 68K) and says that the compiler is quite stable and VERY fast. It is a single- pass compiler which helps to contribute to its speed. It has a few extensions to Wirth's Modula-2, like FORWARD references to make sure that the compiler can be single-pass. From what I can tell, this compiler is quite an improvement over that of Modula Corp (of which I have been a Beta tester, but can't say any more since I haven't received the final released version). If there is an error in compiling, it puts you in the editor at the right line with a good diagnostic and gives you the choice of whether to fix the error or to continue with the compilation. There is at least one disadvantage of the system which they are currently SHIPPING: It does not use the MacIntosh operating system. It comes with a p-shell (a la unix) ystem and various utilities (such as file compare), but has a complete interface to the MacIntosh toolbox (including the file routines, so you can read Mac diskettes). They are working on a version which will work under the Mac operating system which they expect to be available in 2-3 months. They have a pretty good update policy; I don't know if the new version will be considered an update, but their updates generally run in the range of $20-70. My friend tells me they are pretty reasonable about things. They are currently beta testing a 68000 native-code compiler for the Sage IV. For reasons obscure to me, they claim that this compiler requires 1M of memory in order to run, so they were non-commital about getting a version that would run on a Mac. Perhaps if enough people make requests for such a product, they will consider the possibility of a smaller version which could make Mac applications which don't require their run-time environment. BTW, they have three flavors of licenses for application developers who wish to distribute their run-time environment. 1. $500 fee + 2% of revenue 2. $1500 fee + 1% of revenue 3. $3000 fee buyout. Their address is: Volition Systems PO Box 99628 San Diego, CA 92109 (619) 270-6800 I am not in any way associated with Volition Systems. I believe that their Modula-2 compiler has the potential to become the best native development system for the MacIntosh and I intend to buy it for my own personal use. Modula-2 is a nice compromise between the rigid I'm-not-going-to-give-you- enough-handholds-to-do-what-you-want-to-do of Pascal and the ultra-flexible you-can-do-anything-you-want-but-I-won't-tell-you-what's-wrong of C. Enjoy, Mark P.S. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent those, official or otherwise, of my employer. Return-Path: <mnodine@bbnh> Received: from bbnh by SUMEX-AIM.ARPA with TCP; Fri 25 Jan 85 08:45:47-PST Date: Fri, 25 Jan 85 11:45:07 EST From: Mark H. Nodine <mnodine@BBNH.ARPA> Subject: Volition Systems Modula-2 compiler (addendum) To: info-mac@sumex-aim.arpa Forgot to mention, the Modula-2 development system also comes with a Pascal compiler. Since it has to generate p-code anyway, there is no additional expense for them to include it, so it comes as part of the package. Mark