0004238973@MCIMAIL.COM (Frank Pappas) (04/09/91)
I recently saw an ad for a ``new'' Ada compiler for the PC from a company named GEMTECH. The price of the compiler is $149. DON'T RUSH OFF TO BUY IT. GEMTECH is a company started by AETECH to sell a stripped-down version of its IntegrAda compiler. Having written reviews of Ada PC compilers for three magazines, I have seen each compiler at least twice, so I'm pretty familiar with the quality of the PC Ada compilers and whether or not they really let you write Ada programs the way you want to. For example, unless IntegrAda has changed a drastically in six months, it's tasking capability is so limited, that it is useless. Anyone who wants a low-cost Ada compiler or who only has an XT, is better off getting Meridian's Open Ada, even though it is more expensive. Anyone with deeper pockets and with an AT or higher should get FirstAda, the top notch compiler from Alsys. Meridian performed a real service a few months ago when it offered Open Ada for $149. Since the GEMTECH offer is based on IntegrAda, I doubt that the same can be said about GEMTECH's offer. I hope these few words will save someone from getting less than they bargained for.
mfeldman@seas.gwu.edu (Michael Feldman) (04/11/91)
In article <71910409121517.0004238973NC3EM@mcimail.com> 0004238973@MCIMAIL.COM (Frank Pappas) writes: > > I recently saw an ad for a ``new'' Ada compiler for the >PC from a company named GEMTECH. The price of the compiler >is $149. DON'T RUSH OFF TO BUY IT. GEMTECH is a company >started by AETECH to sell a stripped-down version of its >IntegrAda compiler. And IntegrAda is a wrapper around Janus Ada. I believe that Meridian's examination of the IntegrAda development environment, which isn't too bad, may have helped convince them that developing a similar shell for OpenAda wasn't a terrible idea. >and whether or not they really let you write Ada programs >the way you want to. For example, unless IntegrAda has >changed a drastically in six months, it's tasking capability >is so limited, that it is useless. Meaning that priorities are not supported (rather, that all tasks have a single priority). No time-slicing either. > Meridian performed a real service a few months ago when >it offered Open Ada for $149. Since the GEMTECH offer is >based on IntegrAda, I doubt that the same can be said about >GEMTECH's offer. Far be it from me to dump on the Meridian compiler. On the other hand, Janus Ada has had a considerable following for a good few years. Frank, maybe you are dismissing it too cavalierly? Are there other serious weaknesses besides the stripped-down tasking model? Rumor has it that Alsys is going to drop its FirstAda price to bring it into Meridian's ballpark. Finally these guys are starting to get into a genuine competition. It's long overdue! Mike Feldman