heiz@ethz.UUCP (W. Heiz) (05/10/86)
MacMETH is a new Modula-2 development system for the Macintosh computer.
The system consists of a compiler, debugger, and an editor and has been
developed in the group Computer-Systems (headed by Niklaus Wirth) at the ETH
Zuerich, Switzerland.
System Features:
Compiler: - single-pass Modula-2 compiler
- full language Modula-2 supported (restriction: declarations
must precede references)
- compiles at a speed of 1500 lines/minute on floppy disk,
3000 lines/minute on hard disk
- generates native MC68000 code
- object code relocatable, no explicit linking necessary
- Toolbox calls generate inline traps
- each Modula-2 program can be converted into a Macintosh
standalone application
Debugger: - symbolic debugger
- allows "zooming" into data structures
Editor: - program editor, no restriction on file size
- displays compiler detected errors
MacMETH: - compiler, editor an debugger remain loaded (once they are
activated)
- very fast program switching
- runs on one 400 KByte disk without swapping
- MacMETH compiles itself (everything is written in Modula-2)
System Requirements:
The MacMETH system requires a 512 KByte Macintosh (Fat Mac). An external
floppy drive is not necessary for small programs (a minimum configuration
with system, editor, compiler, and debugger leaves about 70 KBytes of work
space on a 400 Kbyte diskette). For serious program development an external
drive (or even a hard-disk) is recommended.
MacMETH has been tested on a Macintosh Plus with a hierarchical file system.
With the exception that all modules have to be on the root directory, it
works without problems.
System Availability:
The Modula-2 development system in object form, consisting of
- Editor - Application Maker
- Compiler - Decoder
- Debugger - Library
- Documentation (66 pages, in English),
costs 200 sFr. (99 US $) and is distributed by
Werner Heiz in USA also by:
Dipl.Inf.Ing.ETH Modula Corporation
Neugasse 71 950 N. University Ave.
CH-8005 Zrich Provo, UT 84604
Switzerland USA
Please send check of 205.- sFr. to the the above address. The system is
shipped immediately after reception of the money.
(The source code for the 68000 and 32000 versions of the compiler is
distributed by Modula Corporation and costs $ 1000.- inclusive debugger
and documentation)
PS: We are currently working on a version for the Atari 520 ST.
Werner Heiz
<Heiz@ethz.uucp>jhk@cs1.UUCP (Joe Kwan) (05/15/86)
I called the Modula Corporation today about the compiler. They're
only distributing it and are not supporting it (I suppose they do
forward bug reports to ETH). Anyways, I found out that Processes were
not implemented and that the system does tend to crash ocassionally.
Does anyone know if there are plans to implement processes and also if
HFS will be supported? The current release (3rd edition of the
compiler), will run on a MacPlus, but requires that all the files be
in one folder. The Macintosh ToolBox is also supported through CODE
procedure calls.
--
Joe Kwan, Calif State Univ, Northridge Computer Science Department
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BITNET: RGFYJHK@CALSTATE ARPANET: RGFYJHK%CALSTATE.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
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