maner@bgsuvax.UUCP (Walter Maner) (08/20/87)
We have an old (circa 1984) version of Logitech Modula2 running on our VAX VMS machine. With the new focus on standardization and with new editions of Wirth's book, this version is beginning to show its age. Does anyone know if an upgrade is planned? Logitech announced an upgrade for its IBM-PC version to Version 3.0 but no mention of the VMS version. Any information or rumors would be welcome. Dr. Walter Maner, Associate Professor BEST CSNet maner@research1.bgsu.edu : UUCP ... cbosgd!osu-eddie!bgsuvax!maner : UUCP ... cbatt!osu-eddie!bgsuvax!maner : Other Nets maner%research1.bgsu.edu@relay.cs.net : Office (419) 372-8719 answering machine mostly : Secretary (419) 372-2337 business hours WORST Mail CS Dept, BGSU, Bowling Green, OH 43403 OPINION If you're married, why not treat yourselves to a MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER weekend!
alan@pdn.UUCP (Alan Lovejoy) (08/26/87)
In article <1262@bgsuvax.UUCP> maner@bgsuvax.UUCP (Walter Maner) writes: >Logitech announced an upgrade for its IBM-PC version to Version 3.0 but... When?! Where?! What does it do?! -Alan@pdn "If President Reagan is telling the truth, why do they keep cutting of parts of his nose?" Lovejoy
maner@andy.bgsu.EDU (Walter Maner) (08/28/87)
Several people have sent mail asking for information about Version 3.0 of Logitech Modula-2. Logitech currently has an ad in several computing magazines (e.g., _Computer Language_, p. 15) which describes some of the new features. I gather from this ad that the new debugger is a mouse-based, multi-window system, that the new linker only links the routines that are actually referenced, that the new compiler generates DOS linker compatible object code, and that the new editor sports miscellaneous improvements in user- friendliness. Up to this point, I've been describing the IBM-PC release. A new release (Version 4.0) of the VMS compiler is expected around September 26th. It's rumored to be completely compatible with the IBM-PC release, which would be a welcome change, but I don't have any details yet. Walter Maner maner@research1.bgsu.edu
king@gatech.UUCP (09/01/87)
In article <8708281928.AA03601@cayuga.cs.rochester.edu>, maner@andy.bgsu.EDU (Walter Maner) writes: > Several people have sent mail asking for information about Version 3.0 of > Logitech Modula-2. Logitech currently has an ad in several computing magazines > (e.g., _Computer Language_, p. 15) which describes some of the new features. > I gather from this ad that the new debugger is a mouse-based, multi-window > system, that the new linker only links the routines that are actually > referenced, that the new compiler generates DOS linker compatible object > code, and that the new editor sports miscellaneous improvements in user- > friendliness. Up to this point, I've been describing the IBM-PC release. > A new release (Version 4.0) of the VMS compiler is expected around September > 26th. It's rumored to be completely compatible with the IBM-PC release, > which would be a welcome change, but I don't have any details yet. > > Walter Maner maner@research1.bgsu.edu I have been using a beta-test version of Logitech's version 3.0 for the past month or two. Based on this experience, I can provide more details about the new release. (Since this was only a beta-test version, however, some details may change in the final release.) (1) Compiler. The new compiler provides the LONGINT type (no LONGREAL or LONGCARD) and allows sets of up to 255 elements. The Logitech ads say that the compiler now accepts the language defined in the Third Edition of Wirth's Programming in Modula-2. My beta-test version handles only a few of the Third Edition changes, but Logitech assures me that they have now implemented "99%" of the changes. I'll have to wait for the final release to find out what the missing 1% is. The compiler now offers an optimization option. If you request this option, the compiler will attempt improved register allocation. Logitech claims an improvement of 10% in both code size and execution time. The compiler produces an .OBJ file instead of a .LNK file. The .OBJ format is compatible with the standard Microsoft/Intel format used by MS-DOS, allowing linkage of a Modula-2 program with routines written in other languages (including assembly language). (2) Linker. The linker is brand-new. The result of linking is an .EXE file, not a .LOD file. The run-time system is now linked into every program. According to Logitech, the linker is "intelligent." This means that you need only give the linker the name of the program module; it figures out what library modules need to be linked to complete the program (just like the old linker). By specifying the /O option when linking, the linker will delete code for procedures that cannot be called--a handy feature. (3) Editor. The editor (named "pt") is also new. It is a mouse-based editor that is apparently similar to one that Logitech has been selling in conjunction with their mouse. Like the old editor ("mod"), pt provides a fast syntax check and the ability to compile and link without leaving the editor. It also allows execution of the program from within the editor and provides an escape to DOS. The new editor apparently does not require a Logitech mouse; it works fine with my Microsoft mouse. You can also use it without a mouse, although I haven't tried using it that way. I like the new editor much more than the old one. It is similar to other mouse-based editors and word processors, so I was able to begin using it immediately. Logitech supplies a lengthy manual for pt, but I have not needed it. (4) Debuggers. The beta version included only the post-mortem debugger; a new run-time debugger is in the works. Both debuggers will be window-oriented and will support (but not require) the use of a mouse. I haven't tried the new post-mortem debugger. (5) Speed. The compiler is now three-pass instead of four-pass (the syntax analysis and declaration analysis passes were merged). Logitech claims a speed increase of 10%-20%, which seems consistent with my experience. Unfortunately, the linker is much slower than in version 2.0 (apparently a result of changing to .OBJ format). (6) Availability. Ads for version 3.0 began appearing in the September issues of various computer magazines. When I talked to Logitech a few days ago, they had pretty much put the finishing touches on the software and were working feverishly on the documentation. Allowing time for printing the manuals, the release date should be sometime in September. Kim King
sullivan@marge.math.binghamton.edu (fred sullivan) (09/01/87)
But did they fix the "implementation module doesn't know about identifiers imported in the definition module" bug? Fred Sullivan Department of Mathematical Sciences State University of New York at Binghamton Binghamton, New York 13903 Email: sullivan@marge.math.binghamton.edu