larry@JPL-VLSI.ARPA.UUCP (03/12/87)
There is a third validated Ada compiler that produces code for the IBM 370
family: Alsys on ATs and Suns. Currently the code can only be uploaded
and run under VM/CMS but Alsys claims they're working on an MVS version.
This is a very cheap way to get started producing Ada code for IBM mainframes,
but I'd guess that it's only workable for small programs, possibly medium-sized
ones. Continuously sending large binary programs over a comm link for test
runs has obvious problems.
I don't know if the Alsys system allows you to compile and use a linker on
the mainframe to produce executable code. If so, and the resulting code is
of reasonable efficiency, you may be able to use this for large programs.
However, unless you are very careful, you'll eventually end up spending more
money trying to do it cheaply than if you spring for a mainframe Ada
compilation system in the first place. And if you have several people working
on a large program the version control and other coordination tools on the
mainframe will soon pay you back, in saved time and headaches, the high cost
of the compiler.
Larry @ jpl-vlsi.arpa