[comp.sys.m68k.pc] 68000 'C' Compiler and ICE emulator Recommendations wanted

mcmahan@netcom.UUCP (Dave Mc Mahan) (07/05/90)

I am looking for names and addresses of good 68000 'C' compilers that are
hosted on an IBM-PC clone.  I need to be able to create Motorola 'S'
records (or intel hex, or tektronix hex) that I can download.  The compiler
must be ROM-able, and come with an assembler and linker that I can use to
augment the compiler.   I will need a library handler and a linker that knows
about libraries, and the assembler must be capable of placing code at desired
spots (ORGing) so I can install startup and interrupt vectors.  Price isn't
too much of an object, but I'd like to keep it under $2,000 if I can.  Any
suggestions are welcome, though.  

I'm also looking for 68000 ICE emulators that can be driven from a PC clone.  If
possible, I'd like get the emulator to work well with the compiler.  I have used
dedicated ICE emulators before, so feel free to talk technical.  Once again,
names, addresses, and phone numbers are asked for.

Finally,  I would like to hear about bad experiences you have had with such
tools.  I don't want to buy a dog.  Please let me know specific problems you
have had with somebody's product (like, "XYZ Corp has a compiler that always
places static pre-defined character strings in RAM!  How can you ROM code
with a bug like that?")

Please follow-up via E-mail, since this is going to about 6 different newsgroups
and nobody wants to be bothered with responses for just me.  Thanks for your
support.


   -dave

mknox@EMX.UTEXAS.EDU (Margaret H. Knox) (07/05/90)

I have been very happy with the SIERRA C compiler.  Price is just under
$2000, depending on whether you want their special download cable.

It comes with a very good C compiler, linker, librarian, up/down loader
(both serial and parallel), macro assembler, and a source level debugger.
The debugger is still Beta (final one will be sent when ready), but does
seem to work o.k.  Support  includes both 68000 and 68020.  Host is
any AT or upward -- it will NOT work on an XT or PC.

They can do the usual S-record, Intel, or Tek formatting (or binary), and
include download/upload software for the serial port.  But they also have
a special parallel download/upload capability, using a special cable
connected to the printer port, and plugging into (under) a EPROM socket
on the target board.  This allows for BLAZING FAST downloads.

I have also found their customer support to be quite responsive.

SIERRA SYSTEMS
6728 Evergreen Ave.
Oakland, CA  94611
(415) 339-8200

---usual disclaimer

andersom@ncar.UCAR.EDU (ANDERSON MARC O) (07/06/90)

this goes to whoever was looking for 68000 development software for ms-dos machines.

I would probably look in "Embedded Systems Programming" or "Dr. Dobbs Journal"
because they have a lot of articles about this kind of stuff...

Marc Anderson