jmh@coyote.uucp (John Hughes) (10/25/90)
I've been using Roger Carvalho's Fitted Software Tools Modula-2 compiler for quite a while now, and I've come to like it. Other than some I/O mechanisms I didn't agree with (and which were easily changed, since registered owners get the sources to all the library modules) I really haven't run into anything that seemed insurmountable. Granted, it may not be the best compiler for extremely large projects, or those that require object overlays and such. Then again, maybe it is... I don't know, since I haven't really done anything that fits into the catagory of what I consider "large" with it yet. So, does anyone have opinions about this shareware product? Is it suitable for large projects? How does it stack up against the commercial compilers? Should I consider switching to a commerical compiler? By the way, for those not familiar with this product, it can be found on many BBS's around the US. The shareware distribution version is also available from the FST BBS at (214) 517-4629. There was also a conference on the BIX system, but I don't know the status of that. -John Hughes -- ============================================================================== John M. Hughes | jmh@coyote.UUCP | Programmer at large, P.O. Box 43305 | john.hughes@emdisle.fidonet.org | or large programmer. Tucson, AZ 85719 | noao!coyote!jmh | Take your choice,
draper@cpsin2.cps.msu.edu (Patrick J Draper) (10/26/90)
In article <1990Oct25.030545.16556@coyote.uucp> jmh@coyote.UUCP (John Hughes) writes: > >I've been using Roger Carvalho's Fitted Software Tools Modula-2 >compiler for quite a while now, and I've come to like it. Other ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Well I like it too. I've used FST for a couple of months now, and have few complaints. >than some I/O mechanisms I didn't agree with (and which were >easily changed, since registered owners get the sources to all the >library modules) I really haven't run into anything that seemed >insurmountable. The source code is the reason I registered. It's been a while - maybe it'll arrive soon..... > >Granted, it may not be the best compiler for extremely large projects, >or those that require object overlays and such. Then again, maybe it >is... I don't know, since I haven't really done anything that fits >into the catagory of what I consider "large" with it yet. In my opinion, you can do large projects with FST. The only problem you'll encounter is a huge *.exe file. From the standpoint of reliability, FST is fairly bug free, and none of the bugs I've seen will interfere with writing very large programs. The linker is kind of slow compared to the compiler, and I really wish there was a way to substitute an editor for the mc editor. Maybe if there was a compiler switch to exit the compiler after errors instead of going to the integrated editor. > >So, does anyone have opinions about this shareware product? Is it >suitable for large projects? How does it stack up against the >commercial compilers? Should I consider switching to a commerical >compiler? The FST compiler is sweetness. I can't think of any better bargains anywhere. The price and features are just right. >By the way, for those not familiar with this product, it can be >found on many BBS's around the US. The shareware distribution version >is also available from the FST BBS at (214) 517-4629. There was >also a conference on the BIX system, but I don't know the status >of that. > >-John Hughes > > >-- >============================================================================== > John M. Hughes | jmh@coyote.UUCP | Programmer at large, > P.O. Box 43305 | john.hughes@emdisle.fidonet.org | or large programmer. > Tucson, AZ 85719 | noao!coyote!jmh | Take your choice, Patrick Draper --- Michigan State University
csgr@quagga.uucp (Geoff Rehmet) (10/27/90)
In <1990Oct25.195628.324@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> draper@cpsin2.cps.msu.edu (Patrick J Draper) writes: >In article <1990Oct25.030545.16556@coyote.uucp> jmh@coyote.UUCP (John Hughes) writes: >> >>I've been using Roger Carvalho's Fitted Software Tools Modula-2 >>compiler for quite a while now, and I've come to like it. Other > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Well I like it too. I've used FST for a couple of months now, and have >few complaints. At Rhodes University we are using FST for our courses in Modula-2. Since the middle of my first year I have been using JPI, but I still consider FST to be a good product (considering it is shareware). The compiler isn't a heck of a lot slower than JPI (version 1.something), but as mentioned the linker does take it's time. I do find it a bit difficult to trace run-time errors with FST (JPI takes you to the right spot in the source text), but you can learn to live with that. Unfortunately the size of FST executeables is a bit on the large side. For serious programs I prefer to go for JPI, because the smallest FST executable I've managed to create is about 20K (2 or 3K with JPI). On the whole though, I think that Fitted Software Tools should keep up the good work! Geoff Rehmet. -- Geoff Rehmet | Internet: csgr.quagga@f4.n494.z5.fidonet.org Rhodes University | csgr@quagga.ru.ac.za (soon - I hope) Grahamstown | UUCP : ..uunet!m2xenix!quagga!csgr -------------------+ Uninet : csgr@quagga
reid@CTC.CONTEL.COM (Tom Reid x4505) (10/29/90)
= >>I've been using Roger Carvalho's Fitted Software Tools Modula-2 = >>compiler for quite a while now, and I've come to like it. Other = > I agree with the others that debugging is a pain and that the produced code size is not as small as one would ilke, but I have used it for a couple of years in a graduate translator construction course quite successfully. The students like the Turbo Pascal-like environment though the translator writer system for the course will not link edit successfully within the environment so one must exit and link separately (thank goodness for .BAT files). At about 6K LOC, the TWS isn't that large but there is a limit on how much 640+64=704K can hold. All-in-all, I find it a very comfortable compiler. Tom Thomas F. Reid, Ph. D. (703)818-4505 (work) Contel Technology Center (703)742-8720 (home) 15000 Conference Center Drive Net: reid@ctc.contel.com P.O. Box 10814 Chantilly, Va. 22021-3808
Patrick.Verkaik@p99.f124.n512.z2.fidonet.org (Patrick Verkaik) (10/31/90)
Hello John, In a message to All <26 Oct 90 9:23:00> John Hughes wrote: JH> So, does anyone have opinions about this shareware product? Is it Yes, I have... I like it very much, but then, it's the only one I've ever used... JH> suitable for large projects? How does it stack up against the I don't know about that, but I seem to remember there were some limitations on a few things (variables or number of IMPORTS or something)... Patrick -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!2!512!124.99!Patrick.Verkaik Internet: Patrick.Verkaik@p99.f124.n512.z2.fidonet.org