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- Newsgroups: comp.lang.modula2
- Path: sparky!uunet!psgrain!hippo!apj.rekwet.sun.ac.za!apj
- From: apj@cs.sun.ac.za (Andries Dippenaar)
- Subject: Modula-2 under Unix/386
- Message-ID: <apj.69.714090814@cs.sun.ac.za>
- Sender: news@hippo.ru.ac.za
- Organization: University of Stellenbosch
- Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 22:33:34 GMT
- Lines: 50
-
- The local Computer Science department have been doing extensive
- operating system development under a Unix/386 (Interactive) environment. We
- designed and are building a small distributed operating system based on the
- Client-Server computing model. Initially we were faced with the dilemma of
- either programming in C under Unix or using DOS Modula-2 compilers (which at
- that stage and still is only producing 16 bit code) from DOS. Fortunately
- we were able to aquire a very able Modula-2 compiler for use under
- Interactive to allow us to use the right language. The implementation is
- quite solid, good support is provided for accessing Unix system calls and
- the run-time environment is flexible enough for us to be able to generate 32
- bit binaries in our own executable format. A recent update has added
- support for X programming and sports a full-screen editor, source level
- debugger and new ISO standard features.
-
- Modula-2 as a language has not for one day let us down and in many instances
- helped us to more clearly formulate and solve several implementation
- issues. It is our considered opinion that we would not have been able to
- say the same about C. This posting is an unashamed plug for Modula-2 and
- also for the MCS Modula-2 Cross System supplied by ModulaWare (contact
- 100023.2527@CompuServe.Com if you are interested in details) -- no need for
- Modula-2 to C translators.
-
- As a bonus, the licensees of MCS receive a free copy of the ModulaTor. As
- has been mentioned in previous postings, this is a monthly newsletter
- dealing specifically with Modula-2 and Oberon[-2] related issues. With some
- positive support from all the Modulans out there, it could turn into a very
- productive forum for exchanging ideas about Modula-2 and Oberon[-2] as well
- as for letting the rest of the world know about what people are doing with
- the languages. There are few things as rewarding as seeing a project go
- well because of a good design, but also because you've got the tools to help
- and not hinder you in your task.
-
- Thanks to Modula-2 and a decent compiler we have had very few problems in
- the implementation and debugging. Are there any other projects that may be
- similar in nature? I know of at least the one in Russia: the Kronos
- system. We are also busy porting the complete TCP/IP, TELNET and FTP
- software to Modula-2. Has anybody else had any experience with this or are
- we the only ones swimming upstream :-)
-
- Let's hear from other Modula-2 success stories out there.
-
- Andries
- PS: I've got no affiliation with ModulaWare or MCS in any way, I'm just a
- very satisfied customer. (* Include other relevant disclaimers... *)
- ***********************************************************************
- * /|~~\ * APJ Dippenaar * "If you wanna make the world a *
- * /__|__/ * apj@sunvax.sun.ac.za * better place, take a look at *
- * / | * Univ of Stellenbosch * yourself and make a change." *
- * / \__| * South Africa * -- Michael Jackson *
- ***********************************************************************
-