gonzalez@VAX.BBN.COM (10/20/88)
Well, I called Borland International regarding Turbo C, and was informed that they never offered it for CP/M. Apparently they decided to drop CP/M before they released Turbo C. Strike 1. I called Lifeboat Associates, which is now located in Tarrytown, NY. Their receptionist now answers the phone as "Magellan...". Their software support person informed me that they discontinued CP/M support a while ago, but gave me a number for a place called Software Resources. Strike 2. The woman at Software Resources acknowledged that they once supported CP/M, but no longer do so. Strike 3. So, it looks like I've exhausted all potential commercial sources of a C compiler. Perhaps someone on the list is interested in selling their copy of BDS C? Are there any public domain compilers around? I'm getting some sense that there is a freeware compiler floating around the RCPM systems. I received a message that a gentleman named John called me at work, regarding the Northstar. I guess this was in response to my earlier compiler inquiry. The number for the return call was in Connecticut and I've gotten no answer each time that I have called (during office hours). If the individual who called would try to call again, or send email, I would really appreciate it. Thanks. -Jim. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Gonzalez AT&T: 617-873-2937 BBN Systems and Technologies Corp. ARPA: gonzalez@bbn.com Cambridge, Massachusetts UUCP: ...seismo!bbn!gonzalez ----------------------------------------------------------------------
chad@anasaz.UUCP (Chad R. Larson) (10/23/88)
In article <8810201631.AA23751@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> gonzalez@VAX.BBN.COM writes: >So, it looks like I've exhausted all potential commercial sources of a C >compiler... I have 2 CP/M C compilers. The first one I is QCX, the other is Aztec C from MANX. QCX is was an upgrade to a compiler called Q/C. The upgrade was mostly compatability and portability changes. QCX is a reasonably full featured compiler that is almost completely K&R compatable (lacks bit fields and doubles, and any of the ANSI or SysIII extensions like void and enum). It's biggest advantage is that it comes with full source code, not just for the libraries, but the compiler too! It will compile itself. Looking at the source, it appears the person who wrote it was not a compiler specialist, but it is well commented and maintainable. Local changes made here were to add voids, and unsigned characters as types handled specially by the compiler (unsigned chars are not promoted to ints in operations only involving other unsigned chars, since they can fit in the accumulator and results in a major speed win). The point of that digression is you can fix up anything you want if you have the source. I ported it to UNIX to be able to do cross development for CP/M. The compiler output is Z80 assembler source, so if you want to do cross development, you need a cross assembler (and possibly a linker). When I bought QCX several years ago, it cost less than $150. Also, it was sold with MS-DOS executables for cross support (I think that's what the X stood for), Q/C was the native CP/M product. BTW, on the cross support front, The Code Works also sold (in source) a Z80 assembler/linker. I bought it, but unless it has been substantially enhanced, don't bother. It probably works OK native on CP/M, but took *MAJOR* rework to build on UNIX! Repeat after me, "Pointers are not integers". QCX was written by Jim Colvin at: Quality Computer Systems 3394 East Stiles Avenue Camarillo, CA 93010 It was published by: The Code Works Box 62136 Santa Barbara, CA 93160 (805) 684-9534 This information is several years old, so you may have to hunt a bit to find them. If you are not looking for something you can hack around with, but just something you can run, the other compiler I use is Aztec C release 1.06D from Manx Software Systems, Inc. It is basically the same C compiler they sell to the IBM PC world and the Apple MAC folks, so it is quite full featured. The difference is just in the code generation portion, I'm led to believe. They used to sell several packages (called commercial, developers, etc.) that differed in whether you got library source and some of the utilities; I'm a little hazy about that. The set I bought came with library source, compilers for both Z80 and 8080 output (the big difference is the Z80 allows one extra "register" specification), an assembler and linker (although you can also use Microsoft M80 and L80 or Digital Research RMAC and LINK if you like), a librarian and some other utilities. The supplied assembler/linker/librarian are quite good and faster than the Microsoft and Digital Research counterparts because they are tailored to deal with the compiler output (no macro's, for example). They also support overlays and there is an overlay manager supplied in source. Since this is a port of the standard Aztec C, the library is quite complete. I regularly move programs from UNIX to CP/M with little effort as long as the programs don't require impossible system functions like fork(2). Manx advertizes regularly in most of the computer magazines. They quit mentioning the CP/M version in the ads about a year ago, but when I called and asked for it they were willing to sell it to me with the caution "there will be no further development on this product, what you get is what you get". That was fine with me. They wanted about $250 for the whole enchilada (sources for libraries and all), I didn't ask about other configurations and the price seemed somewhat negotiable as they were just unloading inventory, I gathered. Summary: Q/C and/or QCX; you get ALL the source, reasonably cheap Aztec C; more robust and full featured ("commercial", even!) Of course, I am not affiliated with any of these people; they probably don't even know I exist. If you have any specific questions not addressed in the lengthy ramblings above, send me e-mail at the address below. Don't give up! C lives and works in the CP/M world. --------------- "I read the news today, oh boy!" --John Lennon =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | DCF, Inc. | UUCP: ...ncar!noao!nud!anasaz!dcfinc!chad | | 14623 North 49th Place | Ma Bell: (602) 953-1392 | | Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | Loran: N-33deg37min20sec W-111deg58min26sec | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Disclaimer: These ARE the opinions of my employer! | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
sfs@panda.UUCP (Steve Santarelli) (10/24/88)
In article <8810201631.AA23751@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, gonzalez@VAX.BBN.COM writes: > > So, it looks like I've exhausted all potential commercial sources of a C > compiler. Perhaps someone on the list is interested in selling their copy > of BDS C? Are there any public domain compilers around? I'm getting some > sense that there is a freeware compiler floating around the RCPM systems. Apparently, no one has heard of Dynacomp! I have their most recently printed catalog, and it is full of software for cp/m computers(among others). They will ship in many different formats, both 8" and 5 1/4" for a variety of machines. Yes, they do sell a "C" compiler, (C/80) made by a company called "Toolworks". The price is $49.95 for 5 1/4" or $52.45 for 8". The compiler seems fairly complete, looking at the catalog description, though some seldomly used language features are left out. Also available from Dynacomp is a package called "C/NIX", to provide a UNIX-like environment on CP/M computers. This program adds the most convenient features of UNIX, such as piping, hierarchical directories, and search paths. C/NIX costs $59.95 on 5 1/4" or 8". They have a toll free phone number for placing orders: 1-800-828-6772 and their address: Dynacomp, Inc. DYNACOMP Office Building 178 Phillips Road Webster, NY 14580 If anyone has used either C/NIX or C/80, could they please post their opinions on the worth of these programs? -Steve Santarelli disclaimer: I have done very little business to date with Dynacomp, and therefore am unable to make any claims about the quality of their software.