[comp.lang.modula2] TopSpeed with SUN PC-NFS

Barry.Cornelius@DURHAM.AC.UK (08/23/89)

Does anyone else run JPI's TopSpeed Modula-2 system with SUN PC-NFS?

We are having problems with the system hanging when the file containing
the Modula-2 program is located on a remote drive.   The system does not
hang with all files, only with certain files.   The tests I have made
are all repeatable, but it is difficult to detect what characteristics
the file has to have in order for it to hang.   This problem only arises
when the file is on the remote drive - it does not occur when the file
is on the PC's hard disc.  And it is irrelevant as to where the files of
the TopSpeed Modula-2 system are located - I currently have them on the hard
disc.

Having got the network to hang, typing CONTROL-BREAK causes TopSpeed
to output a window saying "Drive not ready, Abort, Retry, Ignore".
If you then type A or I, it will then display the file which you are
trying to access; and so you can proceed as normal.

This problem never occurs when you select a file from a directory listing
window rather than typing the name in yourself.   Having said that, remember
that it doesn't hang with all files whose names you type in.

If you change the size of a file, a file that caused the system to hang
MAY now not hang, or vice versa.   If you change the permission bits of a
file (say from 755 to 444), then the file MAY hang where it didn't before.
Changing it back to 755 WILL then cause it to hang again.   Both of these
effects only seem to occur with certain files and not with all files.

Suppose the problem occurs with the file FRED.MOD.   If you enter M2,
type E for edit, type in the filename FRED.MOD, the system will hang.
Typing CONTROL-BREAK, and then A gets you the file.   If you then quit
M2 (by typing ALT-X) and then reenter M2 the file will be re-loaded without
any problem - here of course it is getting the name of the file from M2.SES.

If the file containing the Modula-2 program has a compilation error,
then TopSpeed Modula-2 displays a window with the message "n errors found;
type RETURN to edit".   Typing RETURN will always cause the system to hang.
Once again, typing CONTROL-BREAK following by A or I will then result in
TopSpeed Modula-2 displaying the error window and one can proceed as
normal.

OK. I've offloaded all I know about the problem (after much messing around).
Has anyone seen this before? or has anyone got any thoughts?   Thanks.
==
Barry Cornelius
==
Computer Science Group, School of Engineering and Applied Science,
University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, England
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simon@summer.bt.co.uk (Simon E. Redding) (08/25/89)

From article <emu-ul04.lg.1989.0823.123403.cok2@uk.ac.dur.mts>, by Barry.Cornelius@DURHAM.AC.UK:
> 
> OK. I've offloaded all I know about the problem (after much messing around).
> Has anyone seen this before? or has anyone got any thoughts?   Thanks.
> ==
> Barry Cornelius
> ==

Well, when we were working on our end of term project, we had this
problem, and I could see no way of getting round it, since it seems to
be a clash between low level primitive calls of PC-NFS & TopSpeed.  I
can only suggest having the default file suffix as '.de*' or '.mo*',
which will then bring up a selection window whenever you ask for a
filename without a suffix.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Simon.

--
Simon E. Redding (aka Phantom)          Phone: +44 473 645767
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Barry.Cornelius@DURHAM.AC.UK (08/29/89)

Hi!   Do you have any evidence for:
"a clash between low-level primitive calls of PC-NFS and TopSpeed"
==
Barry Cornelius
==
Computer Science Group, School of Engineering and Applied Science,
University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, England
              JANET:       Barry.Cornelius@uk.ac.durham
              Internet:    Barry.Cornelius%durham.ac.uk@cunyvm.cuny.edu
              UUCP:        ...ukc!cs.nott.ac.uk!bjc
              BITNET/EARN: Barry.Cornelius%DURHAM@AC.UK
Tel: Durham (091 or +44 91) 374 2638, Secretary: 374 2630, Fax: 374 3741