[comp.lang.eiffel] Latest Release

jgru1@iti.org (JohnCollis Grundy ) (10/11/90)

Hello to all you Eiffel users out there from the real "down under" (i.e. NZ).

The big question: what is the latest release version of Eiffel and the Eiffel
libraries???

The system we have here is: (from the README file)

>DELIVERY INFORMATION
>====================
>
>   Eiffel Version 2.2 level B
>   Binary Delivery
>   December 1989.

Is there a latter release version? New or additional libraries?

A brief description of our work using Eiffel, and why I need an update!

I am working on a PhD whose research is based around visual program development
environments. I am using Eiffel to construct a visual programming environment
for, amoung other things, itself. However, the version we have has a very
limited set of user-iterface library classes, and the implementation, is, to
say the least, very deficient re: speed, code size, development environment,
etc. What is the latest release version, and are there some improved libraries,
compiler and dev. env.??? I am running the system on a DECstation 2100, with
X windows, so maybe someone else has written useful bits and pieces.

Is there anyone out there working on a similar project to myself, i.e. using
visual techniques for data modelling, object-oriented program development and
so on? If so, please get in touch and we can share ideas.

What are the latest planned additions to the Eiffel system?

A quick comment on Eiffel, and O.O. programming. I like the Eiffel language
very much, and am a convert to the O.O. style of programming. However, one of 
the main problems with the Eiffel system is the library set up, and the lack
of adequate documentation for it. On-line tools for keyword indexing to find
useful classes, routines and features would be a big help (i.e. some sort of
computer based cataloging/librarian system). In addition, a much improved
development environment tailored for O.O. development is definitely needed.
A large part of my thesis work is concerned with finding solutions to these
problems, and comments from other Eiffel or O.O. language users would be most
welcome.

Thanks for the help!

John Grundy.