[comp.sys.sgi] 'cc' bug found, also ScreenLock update

moss@BRL.MIL ("Gary S. Moss", VLD/VMB) (04/04/89)

FYI,

The 'C' compiler distributed with IRIX 3.1 (Mips Computer Systems Release
1.31) has a horrible bug; returning from 'main' with 'return' always returns
0 exit status.  I have no reason to think that this is unique to 3.1, Doug
Gwyn says that this brain damage was probably inherited from Sun.

main()	{ return 1; } /* results in exit status 0 */

Using 'exit' works correctly, but calling 'exit' from main goes against my
principles.  Does anyone know where to send software bug reports?  Should
I call the hotline?

I have an update of ScreenLock that returns the proper error status when
failing to startup (i.e. no NeWS server running).  I discovered this by
doing 'make test' from a Sun window without 4Sight running on the IRIS
and it succeeded.  Also, I have added a slight modification to support the
lame cursors on the Personal IRIS (thanks to Jim Sims for trying things
on his P.I.).  Anyone wanting an update, please send another request.

-moss

davea@quasar.SGI.COM (David B. Anderson) (04/05/89)

>>main()	{ return 1; } /* results in exit status 0 */

This is a known bug. We inherited it from MIPS.  

It has been fixed in the 3.2 release (I did it myself).

Regards,
[ David B. Anderson            Silicon Graphics      (415) 964-1459 x3060 ]
[ USENET: {decwrl!,hplabs!sun!}sgi!davea          Internet: davea@sgi.com ]

``Well then,'' the Cat went on, ``you see a dog growls when it's angry,
and wags its tail when it's pleased.  Now *I* growl when I'm pleased and
wag my tail when I'm angry.  Therefore I'm mad.''
                                  - Alice in Wonderland -