daveb@gonzo.UUCP (Dave Brower) (11/13/88)
In <2060@cbnews.ATT.COM> shurr@cbnews.ATT.COM (Larry A. Shurr) writes: >I like the price [of g++], too, but your typical client does not seem to >like the idea of paying for the development of software which they are >(apparently) then required to give away. I know that the Copyleft has >been discussed to death here, but I still can't see how to sell it to >clients especially since I'm not entirely certain that agree with or >even undertand it. The major problem with g++ (aside from no 1.30!) is the copyleft on the library. As far as I can figure, there is no restriction on the code written by the compiler proper, only on use of the library. So, what would be wrong with buying the AT&T c++ source, tossing away cfront, and using the library source with g++? $175 + $2k for complete source code of a compiler and a library with no restrictions is very reasonable compared to the more formal commercial offerings. Is there something I'm missing? -dB