Aminet 52/Aminet 52 (2002)(GTI - Schatztruhe)[!][Dec 2002].iso/Aminet/docs/mags/saku09.lha/Teksti/OIC.txt

Text File | 1994-10-07 | 26KB | 590 lines

5
1*

SAS/C:n lakkauttamisen myötä DICE on Amigan kaupallisista C-kääntäjistä vakavim-
min harkittava ostos. Alla tarkat tiedot sen hinnoista ja tilaamisesta.

{3--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your interest in Obvious Implementations Corporation, makers
of the DICE 3.0 compiler, and the Commodore Bankruptcy T-Shirt.  This is
an automated response, last updated >June 16, 1994<.  We hope this
information answers the most common questions.  If you need a personal
reply, an email address is given below.

A limited "freeware" edition of DICE will continue to be available at no
cost.  Owners of the registered version of DICE be able to get the
commercial version for just $75.00.  Special prices are also available
for students and owners of the SAS/C or Manx compilers.

Send email to "[e-mail]" if you have specific questions, but be aware
it may take several days to get a response.  Send email to "[e-mail]"
for a copy of this message.  A copy of an advertising flyer and email
order form is attached.

This has been a recording.  Beep!

        Matt Dillon
            John Toebes
                Bryce Nesbitt
                    Andy Finkel
                        and Friends
        Obvious Implementations Corporation


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Exciting news for anyone interested in programming the Amiga
computer at any level -- beginner through expert!  For years DICE has been
a respected name in the Amiga programming community. Now some of the biggest
names in Amiga programming have combined talents to make DICE even better.
The new DICE is fast, cheap, easy and fun.

    DICE has always been a good C language compiler.  Now the DICE
compiler is part of an integrated "system" of programming tools designed to
ease and speed creating programs for the Amiga.  If you are a beginner DICE
offers an intuitive visual approach to creating programs -- and numerous
examples to get you started.  Programmers of all levels will appreciate how
DICE seamlessly integrates with your favorite text editor, offering tools
and information at the touch of a button.

    The new DICE focuses on _productivity_.  Not just a buzzword, the
DICE system focuses on getting code from keyboard to execution as quickly
as possible.  We give you a quick development cycle and fast compile time
so you can try new things quickly.  We bring all help online so you don't
waste time flipping through the manual.

The new DICE includes:
    o Complete 450 page manual, including a section on avoiding
      the most common programming pitfalls.
    o Full, fast, online help.
    o A complete visual compile environment (that, incidentally is
      fully configurable to provide a visual environment for any
      program).
    o All the updates, fixes and enhancements you'd expect to the
      original.
    o A simple source line debugger - the most asked for features
      in an easy to use package.
    o A Compression system for use on floppy disk systems.
    o Full source code for the libraries and dozens of examples.
    o A package of "bonus" tools to help find bugs in your code.

    DICE is brought to you by some of the biggest names in Amiga
programming; we know the Amiga inside and out.  We call ourselves "Obvious
Implementations Corporation", and our founding members are Matt Dillon (well
known shareware author), John Toebes (Director of the Software Distillery),
Bryce Nesbitt (Enforcer and longtime system software Guru for Commodore-
Amiga), Andy Finkel (Amiga Shell, Amiga MicroEmacs and also longtime head of
software development for Commodore-Amiga) and many well known friends.

    We've priced DICE ridiculously low - there is no excuse not to delay
ordering.  The new DICE is available for immediate shipping.  Pricing in US
funds (shipping and handling are free in the US):

     $75    For owners of the registered version of DICE
     $95    For SAS/C or Manx Owners    (Provide your serial number)
            This price also applies to people who got part of the registered
            product with Amiga Shopper's "Complete Amiga C" book.
     $85    For Students (Send a photocopy of student ID or
            give your school name & student ID number to the operator)
            This applies to students and teachers throughout the world.
     $65    For Students upgrading from the registered version of DICE
     $150   For a new purchase

N.C. Residents must add 6% sales tax.  Overseas orders add $5.00 for
shipping.

DICE error messages and screens will be available in German, French and
English. The manual is English only, sorry.  Additional languages may be
added in the future.

        Matt Dillon
                John Toebes
                    Bryce Nesbitt
                        Andy Finkel
                            and Friends
            Obvious Implementations Corporation

**************************************
************ About Dice **************
**************************************

DICE is a complete C Language development system written for and on
the Commodore Amiga computer.  DICE includes a compiler, editor,
linker, source code management tools, help system, debugger, and
examples  in short, everything you need to write programs which take
full advantage of everything the Amiga has to offer.

DICE was designed from the start with the international ANSI C
standard in mind, as well as compatibility with other Amiga C
Compiler products on the market.  In addition, DICE provides a number
of extensions targeted at providing you with easy access to the
Amiga's special features.

DICE contains no security or copy-protection "features" to get in
your way.  As such, an illegal copy could be yours for little or no
work.  We'd rather you not take advantage of this, however. We want
to update, support and expand the DICE system; for that we need
sales.


*************************************
******* Product Directions **********
*************************************

DICE is targeted at the general Amiga programmer with a  typical
machine. It will run effectively a low-end Amiga 500 with only 1
megabyte of memory and two floppy drives, while at the same time it
will take advantage of everything an Amiga  with a 68040 processor
and AGA chipset can throw at it.  We will continue to address the
low-end machine as the base environment while enhancing the
performance of the compiler and increasing the number of features
available.

DICE was written with several goals in mind:

o Reasonably fast compilation.    Modular executables for ease of use,
  reliability, and testability.

o Tight, productive integration between modules using open standards,
  such as Amiga AREXX, to allow for custom environments and free
  choice of tools.

o Provide optimization    but not at the expense of reliability. DICE
  does no common sub-expression or loop unrolling optimization, but
  does do smart automatic register allocation, switch() optimizations
  and has multi-level history to propagate conditional expressions.

o Provide comprehensive support of the Amiga, especially for new
  versions of the OS that come out.  DICE fully supports 1.3, 2.0 and
  3.0 with an easy extension mechanism to allow development on
  several OS versions /betas simultaneously.

o Provide source code where appropriate so modifications or fixes can
  be easily made. DICE includes full source for its support libraries
  (c.lib, m.lib, auto.lib) and a means to remake the libraries.  DICE
  also includes full source to most of its own utilities to allow
  users to make enhancements.

**************************************
********* Product Contents ***********
**************************************

DICE comes complete with:

    Compiler
    --------
    This is the heart of the DICE product.    It includes DC1, DCPP, DAS,
    and DCC.  Together, these control the complete stages of compiling
    and linking both C and assembler source code.  DCPP may also be used
    as a stand-alone preprocessing tool.  The compiler supports in-line
    calls to all Amiga Library functions through standard #pragma
    statements, registerized parameters, profiling code,
    auto-initialization code, and pure code for residentability.

    When combined with the Editor, Visual Options, and Integrated Help,
    the Compiler will allow for interactive development and error
    corrections.

    Debugger
    --------
    No C compiler product is complete without a source level debugger.
    As a windowing debugger, DEBUG gives you the ability to examine the
    execution of your code, set break points, watch memory, and even
    modify the execution.  Fully integrated with the Amiga, it supports
    AREXX, cut and paste, mouse clicks, and all Amiga screen modes.

    Linker
    ------
    Compatible with standard Amiga Object files, DLINK is a fast linker.
    It allows control of data placement and will combine code to provide
    the powerful auto-initialization capabilities of DICE.

    Profiler
    --------
    Once you have a program running, DPROF gives you the ability to
    identify hot spots in the code to allow you to improve algorithms or
    even recode critical portions of the code.  You can control the level
    of code that you wish to profile through a series of compiler and
    linker options.

    Assembler
    ---------
    DICE includes two assemblers.  DAS is a low overhead assembler which
    is used by the compiler because of its speed.  When you wish to do
    advanced Amiga programming, you may also use A68k which includes
    powerful macros and complete integration with C calling conventions.

    Online Help
    -----------
    In order to speed the development process, DiceHelp allows immediate
    access to all DICE and Amiga subroutines with just a single
    keystroke.  In addition, a C language reference and all error
    messages are immediately accessible.  DiceHelp works with your
    favorite editor.

    VMake and VOpts
    ---------------
    In order to speed development, DICE includes a set of visual
    development tools that allow you to quickly edit, compile, link, and
    debug your project without having to resort to the CLI or continually
    type commands to invoke the compiler.  VMake eliminates the tedium of
    maintaining a Makefile by letting you just enter the files for the
    project and tell it the type of project to build.  It even will read
    and write Makefiles so that you can resort to the CLI if you feel
    more comfortable.

    Within VMake, you can edit files by just double clicking on them. If
    they happened to be stored in RCS, VMake will automatically check
    them out.  Checking them back into an archive is as simple as
    selecting a menu item.    You may also invoke the debugger on your
    application, and test it out without having to exit the VMake
    environment.

    Of course, it is not complete without the ability to visually set the
    compiler options that your project demands.  VOpts talks directly to
    VMake to manage the options for compiling your project.

    Development Tools
    -----------------
    Because writing a program on the Amiga requires more than just a
    compiler and a linker, DICE provides a wide range of tools for
    manipulating the environment. This includes text tools like Cat,
    Dsearch, Head, Touch, WC, and IStrip.

    There are also tools for manipulating object files and libraries such
    as DObj, FDToLib, FDToPragma, LbMake, and LibToS. MakeProto will
    automatically collect prototypes into a common header file. DiceCache
    allows control over caching of files to speed up the development
    environment. Lastly, for dealing with groups of files we have Du,
    DUpdate, and LHarc.

    Make Utility
    ------------
    While not identical to the standard Unix make utility, DMake offers
    the power to control putting together a project without having to
    retype commands each time.  With a built-in macro facility and rule
    based decision engine, DMake will only recompile those pieces of a
    project that have changed. DMake files are easy to create, consistent
    and powerful.

    Editor
    ------
    Because not everyone has an editor that they may be happy with, DME
    is provided to permit easy editing of source code and other text
    files.    It includes complete Amiga integration with menus, AREXX,
    mouse support, programmable keys, and multiple-window support.    Use
    of DME is not required; DICE will integrate easily with virtually any
    Amiga editor

    File Compression
    ----------------
    DICE includes a powerful compression handler that automatically
    compresses or uncompresses files as they are transferred from disk.
    This feature is especially useful for floppy users.  Any mix of
    compressed and regular files may exist on the same volume.  Normally
    the Commodore "include" files, required for Amiga programming, take
    up an entire floppy.  With the compression handler they use half
    that.  As an owner of DICE, you may use this compression utility for
    all your needs.

    Source Code Management Tools
    ----------------------------
    The RCS source code management tools can help you maintain a revision
    history for your code.    Ci, Co, and RCS allow checking files in and
    out of a library as well as managing multiple versions of the code.
    RCSDiff will compare two files in the library to identify changes.
    RLog will display history of file modifications while RCSMerge will
    allow merging changes from two distinct lines of development.  We
    highly recommend using the RCS tools for all of your development
    efforts.

    Romable Code Generation Tools
    -----------------------------
    In addition to generating Amiga executables, DICE allows generation
    of code for any 68000 based platform.  Romable and BinToHex combined
    with a number of DCC options allow generation of romable code and
    standard Motorola S records.

    Workbench Support Tools
    -----------------------
    For those people who wish to work from Workbench instead of the CLI,
    DICE includes VOpts for setting compiler options visually, and Vmake
    for controlling a project build visually.  Although they work with
    Workbench, the CLI user may also use them to manage a project
    interactively.

    Include Files
    -------------
    Because people wish to develop source code that works under all
    versions of the Amiga Operating System, DICE includes several sets of
    header files. You can choose which of these includes to reference
    based on an environment variable or compiler option.

    Libraries
    ---------
    This is one area where DICE really shines.  Included are libraries
    which provide ANSI, Unix, and general Amiga compatibility.  These
    libraries are provided in a number of models allowing for linking
    with just about any normal program. However there are cases where
    something fancy needs to be done, or a special combination of library
    switches is used for which a library hasn't been supplied. For this,
    we also provide the complete source code to the libraries along with
    the configuration scripts to build them.

    Source Code
    -----------
    DICE also comes with example source code to show you how to program
    on the Amiga.

    VOPTS
    The Vopts utility shipped with DICE allows customizing of the
    compiler environment.  It illustrates everything necessary for
    programming gadgets, menus, keyboard input, file i/o, and even
    internationalization on the Amiga.  It also illustrates how to write
    a program which takes advantage of both 1.3 and 2.0 capabilities.
    One special bonus with this example is the ability to allow the user
    to customize the gadget presentation of the program without having to
    change the source code.  In this case, the program read the gadgets
    from a file and dynamically lays them out based on the screen
    resolution, current font, and color choices.

    Shared_Lib
    One of the key components of the Amiga, libraries are the method of
    adding dynamic linked routines to the system.  This example includes
    everything necessary to build a library, add it to the system and to
    provide some simple services.  This particular library allows saving
    and retrieving a simple string. It also shows how to write a program
    using the newly created library.

    Printer_Driver
    A sample printer driver that compiles and runs.  This includes
    support for graphics, font selection, and extended attributes.    It
    can be readily modified for a printer that you might not have a
    printer driver for.

    Exec_Dev
    An example Exec device which emulates a disk level device as a single
    file on a hard disk.  This shows how to handle the basic
    init/termination and read/write functions. As a tool, it is extremely
    useful for emulating a second (or multiple) floppy disk on a system
    with a hard disk.

    DosHan
    This is a simple AmigaDOS handler which supports basic
    open/close/read/write packets. It can be used as the basis for a more
    complex handler.  It also includes instructions for adding the
    handler to the system.

    DCC
    This is the complete source for the DCC front end to the compiler.

    cat/count/wc
    These simple programs illustrate basic C programming with command
    line arguments and simple output.  They parallel examples found in
    many C programming books.

    hello.c
    Of course, no compiler product would be complete without the
    definitive source code to the standard Hello world program.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

>> First Annual Commodore Deathbed Vigil Party T-Shirts Available

    We're writing to you from the site of the Commodore Deathbed Vigil
party, April 30, 1994.  People are driving in from all over the east
coast, some are flying in, AmigaWorld is sending a reporter, Dave
Haynie, Gail Wellington, Intuition Guru Peter Cherna, Carolyn Scheppner,
Jeff Porter, Andy Finkel, Bryce Nesbitt and dozens more are all here.
The flag at the Commodore plant is flying at half-mast.

    We ask you to dim your monitors to half-brightness in respect for
the passing of Commodore.  Today is a day of world-wide
mourning for the Amiga, and a day for prayers for a quick sale
of the Amiga technology to one of the several interested bidders.
As hard as this is for all of us, we realize that only by cycling
through bankruptcy could the technology be sold.

    In the spirit of the great Amiga wake parties of the past we've just
designed a Deathbed Vigil T-Shirt. It plays on the NewTek spin-off
"Play" button, and Scala's "Fast Forward" shirt.  Ours has an eject
button with the words "Commodore Deathbed Vigil April 30, 1994."  The
back will be signed by members of the Commodore development team, most
of the original Amiga design team, Commodore employees as of the last
week and people of the party.  The shirt, of course, will be black.

    The shirt is $19 plus $4 shipping per order in the USA and Canada,
    $8 international.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

We accept USA funds in the form of check or money order, and Visa,
Mastercard or Discover.


TO ORDER BY PHONE: Call 1-800-761-2042 (US or Canada).  Have your credit
card ready. If you are a student, SAS/C or Manx owner, have your student
ID or serial number handy.  You may also call 1-919-859-7407.


TO ORDER BY MAIL: Use the form below.  Your order must include (1) Name
and complete address, typed or written clearly in block printing.  (2)
Payment in USA funds, or credit card number, date and signature.  (3) Type
of purchase, and ID number if required. (5) Language choice.  (5) Your
telephone number.  If you like, fill in and print out the form below.
        Obvious Implementations Corporation
        P.O. Box 4487
        Cary, NC 27519-4487
        USA


TO ORDER BY FAX: Send a fax to 919-469-3853.  If you like, fill in and print
out the form below.


TO ORDER BY ELECTRONIC MAIL:  Your order must include (1) Name and complete
address.  (2) Credit card number and expiration date.  (3) Type of purchase,
and ID number if required. (5) Language choice.  (4) Your email address and
telephone number.  Send order to "[e-mail]", expect an automated order
confirmation.  The name on the credit card must match the shipping address.

NOTE! If you live in Europe and your mail address ends in "adsp.sub.org",
we get your mail, but return mail bounces with a message "recipient has not
paid for this service" or "Der Mailverkehr nach *.sub.org kostet _Geld_."


IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:  From outside the USA,
you may call "USA Direct", then 1-800-761-2042 (USA Direct numbers are
listed in your local phone directory or on many pay telephones).  At a last
resort, you can call 1-919-859-7407, or fax [phone].

International Mailed orders must include a credit card number, a check drawn
on a U.S. bank in U.S. funds or an international money order in U.S. funds.
Money orders must have the *address* of a U.S. Bank on the front.  Do NOT
send the payment separately or allow a bank to send the payment directly to
us.  Do not forget to add the name of the country to the end of the return
address!

===================== DICE ORDER FORM ===================================

Indicate number of each product:

    ___ $75     Previous _REGISTERED_ DICE owner.

    ___ $65     Student upgrade from registered
         (Include photocopy of student ID)
    ___ $85     Student New Compiler
         (Include photocopy of student ID)
    ___ $95     SAS/C or Manx owner.
         Write serial number here _____________
    ___ $150 New order

        $19  Bankruptcy T-Shirt (Shipping $4 per order for US/Canada,
         $8 International)

            (___ Medium   ___ Large  ___ X-Large  ___ XX-Large)

Check if appropriate
        o $5    Overseas shipping for DICE
        o +6%   N.C. Residents sales tax

Language for DICE orders
    o German (extensions to be shipped later)
    o French (extensions to be shipped later)
    o English

Write address in block letters here.  For international orders include
country and postal code exactly as required by your post office:

  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  +                                                          +
  +                                                          +
  +                                                          +
  +                                                          +
  +                                                          +
  +                                                          +
  +                                                          +
  ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For credit card orders the name and address of the order must match
the name and address of the credit card:

    Credit card number    ________________________________

    Expiration Date        _________

    Signature        ________________________________

Send with payment in USA funds to:
    Obvious Implementations Corporation
    P.O. Box 4487
    Cary, NC 27519-4487
    USA

===================== DICE ORDER FORM ===================================



======== Electronic Mail Order Form: Visa/Mastercard Orders Only ========

Complete Mailing Address--------:
Complete Mailing Address--------:
Complete Mailing Address--------:
Complete Mailing Address--------:
Complete Mailing Address--------:

Daytime phone number(s)---------:
Electronic Mail Address---------:
Visa or Mastercard Number-------: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX
Expiration Date-----------------: XX/XX

Special Notes-------------------:

Number of DICE------------------:
Price code for DICE-------------:
Language code for DICE----------: A
Student ID or SAS/C Serial #----:
Sizes of T-shirt(s)-------------:

The following charges will be added:  %6 sales tax for orders shipped to
North Carolina.  $5 international shipping for DICE.  $4 per order shipping
for T-Shirts, $8 international.  DICE shipping is free in the USA and Canada.


Price CODES
    1 - Regular. $150.
    2 - Owner of registered DICE.  Price $75.
    3 - Owner of SAS/C or Manx.  Enter serial number above. Price $95.
    4 - Student.  Enter school name and student ID number above. Price $85.
    5 - DeathBed Vigil T-Shirt Price $19 (+$4 US Shipping, $8 International)
    6 - Owner of registered DICE - Student Upgrade.
        Enter school name and student ID number. Price $65

Language CODES
    A - English
    B - German error messages and menus (extensions to be shipped later)
    C - French error messages and menus (extensions to be shipped later)
T-Shirt SIZES
        M   - Medium
        L   - Large
        XL  - Extra Large
        XXL - Extra Extra Large
  **
  **  WARNING: For electronic mail orders the name MUST match the name
  **  on the card, and the shipping address MUST match the address in the
  **  credit card company's records.
  **
  **  NOTE: Please be sure your address is correct and complete.
  **  International orders must include the country name and postal
  **  code.
  **

Send this completed form to "[e-mail]".  Expect an automated
confirmation in a few days.  If you do not receive a reply in a few days,
resend the mail but place a note next to "special notes", above.  The phone
number will be used to contact you in case of problems only.

======== Electronic Mail Order Form: Visa/Mastercard Orders Only ========