PFS@NIHCU.BITNET ("Paul F. Schulze") (05/26/90)
For a total novice: Assume I'm using a PS/2 Model 70 or 80. What Modula-2 package would you (all) recommend that I get? I will need one with good documentation. Should I split it into a good package to learn on and then a good package for an experienced user? Many thanks in advance. Paul Schulze, PFS@NIHCU National Institutes of Health National Center For Research Resources Bethesda, MD 20892
thssgkt@iitmax.IIT.EDU (George Thiruvathukal) (05/26/90)
I would recommend the TopSpeed Modula-2 Compiler by Jensen and Partners International (JPI). They are based in England and distribute the product from Mountain View, CA. Recently, JPI released TopSpeed Modula-2 V2.0, which contains support for object-oriented programming. Unlike some of the language implementations to which object-oriented extensions have been added, JPI has attempted to preserve the spirit of Modula-2 as much as possible. The package runs under DOS (an OS/2 version is also available) in two editions: the Standard Edition and the Extended Edition. Personally, if you have any professional intentions with Modula-2, I would recommend that you pick up the Extended Edition. If you purchase the Extended Edition, you will be pleased with a number of "goodies," including a DOS call monitor, a module for TSRs, an execution profiler, an assembler, a disassembler, and complete library source. The Standard and Extended Editions both include the TopSpeed multiple language development environment, the Modula-2 compiler, the VID debugger (which is one of the least-raved, best debuggers I have ever used), hypertext help, and excellent documentation. Documentation deserves a separate paragraph. In addition to the traditional manuals for "usage" and "libraries," an excellent "language tutorial" by an individual named K.N. King is included. This is one of the first language tutorials I have seen included with a compiler that is not an insult to the intelligence of the average person. It is instructive, yet easy to digest. You should be well-equipped to write nontrivial programs after you have read, or browsed, it. You can reach JPI at a toll-free number 1-800-543-5202. If you are a student, JPI has an excellent student discount available. You receive the same product whether or not you pay the student rate. Current pricing for the Standard Edition is $195; the Extended Edition $395. Call JPI for student rates. JPI also carries TopSpeed C, which seamlessly integrates into the TopSpeed multiple language development environment. George K. Thiruvathukal -- George K. Thiruvathukal Illinois Institute of Technology Argonne National Laboratory Chicago, IL 60616 Argonne, IL 60439 thssgkt@iitmax.iit.edu gkt@athens.ees.anl.gov thirgeo@iitvax.bitnet "The cause of all world problems: E = mc^2."
Pat.Terry@p101.f4.n494.z5.fidonet.org (Pat Terry) (05/29/90)
> For a total novice: > > Assume I'm using a PS/2 Model 70 or 80. > > What Modula-2 package would you (all) recommend that I get? Shareware FST to learn on, and JPI for fast code. > I will need one with good documentation. JPI 1.17 (don't know about 2) comes with a stripped down version of Kim Kings excellent "complete guide" (Heath). FST, like the compiler itself, has terse, well phrased, essential documentation. For an absolute complete novice neither might be adequate as a text to learn from, but excellent if you want the facts without the verbose rubbish of some other books. Kim King is a very good writer, and a member of the Standards Committee. If you want a beginner's book on M-2 there are quite a few (including one by me, for which the sources are all available in m/c readable form) -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!5!494!4.101!Pat.Terry Internet: Pat.Terry@p101.f4.n494.z5.fidonet.org
Dominique.Willems@p4610.f46.n295.z2.fidonet.org (Dominique Willems) (06/04/90)
> I would recommend the TopSpeed Modula-2 Compiler by Jensen and Partners > International (JPI). I too, would recommend it. > help, and excellent documentation. But not for this reason ! Help ? You mean the unfinished "context-sensitive" help that has more to say about TopSpeed C than Modula-2 ? (at least in my release...V2 release 1.04) Full of all kinds of errors. > Documentation deserves a separate paragraph. In addition to the > traditional manuals for "usage" and "libraries," an excellent "language > tutorial" by an individual named K.N. King is included. Documentation certainly deserves a separate paragraph, but not in the sense that you mean ! You can find most of the stuff you're looking for in it, but not all in the same place, nor is the information complete or even accurate, even when you've done ALL the errata that come on disk. But I can excuse them for all this; I think they had to bring the product as soon as possible on the market and as a consequence neglected the manuals a bit. If they spent more time on the manuals then maybe I wouldn't be using version 2 right now...though I wouldn't have lost as much time figuring out the difference between previous versions either. About the tutorial : it would have been nicer if they spent its paper on a more complete manual, certainly for the TechKit (which can't really be called a manual, just a tiny booklet...the TechKit manual of the previous version was more complete in my opinion). The philosophy of including a tutorial in the package is also a strange one. It's like everyone buying all the car models on the market and after a trial period decide to use just the one that serves their needs best. I think people pretty much know what Modula-2 is when they buy the package. > also carries TopSpeed C, which seamlessly integrates into the > TopSpeed multiple language development environment. Still cursing the day they decided on carrying this "C", I believe it has done more harm than good to their Modula-2. Let's hope there'll be a next release soon, with all this corrected, though I don't think they will give me the update of their manual... The weather's clearing up (again) in Belgium, Dominique -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!2!295!46.4610!Dominique.Willems Internet: Dominique.Willems@p4610.f46.n295.z2.fidonet.org
Peter.M..Perchansky@f101.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Peter M. Perchansky) (06/11/90)
Hello:
Neils Jensen has stated on the JPAM BBS that new documentation is in the works. Chris (JPI Tech Support) stated the next release of TopSpeed Modula-2 is in the works.
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uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!273!101!Peter.M..Perchansky
Internet: Peter.M..Perchansky@f101.n273.z1.fidonet.orgPeter.M..Perchansky@f101.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Peter M. Perchansky) (06/28/90)
Hello Greg:
The number for the JPAM BBS is (415) 967-7241.
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Internet: Peter.M..Perchansky@f101.n273.z1.fidonet.org