vantreeck@logic.DEC (10/23/85)
A while back I asked the net for info on a Mac compiler that optimizing. Well, it looks like a native-code, optimizing, Pascal compiler is on the way (starts shipping sometime in November). It's advertised in October issue of Mac Tutor on page 25. It's called On Stage from Step-Lively Software, Inc. 622 Watervliet-Shaker Rd. Latham, NY 120110, 518.785-7214. User version is $199 and commercial version is $399. Updates will be based on Step-Lively's cost of floppy disks, paper, and postage. Features: 68000 code generation. FOR loops use the 68000's decrement, test, and branch instruction. Local variables are put in registers if possible. 'Does branch compression. Promise of other optimizations in future releases. Allows insertion of in-line assembly code. **** LISA PASCAL COMPATABLE ****!!!. Compiler can generate both object code and assembly language output. Disfeatures: Does not support MDS object file formats. But they will support Apple's new object file format when released. And in the mean time, one can generate assembly output from the compiler to use with your favorite development system. About a year ago, Steve Jobs gave talk at MIT. I asked him after the talk when the Lisa development system would be available on the Mac. He said there would be Mac version in spring. Well, like Jobs, spring has come an gone. There's no Mac development system of commercial quality. And I'm tired of waiting. It looks like Apple is going to lose my $399 to a company willing to Step-Lively. -George DISCLAIMER: I'm affiliated with no one, except my wife.