Conference hydra::amiga_v1

2802.0. "PDC 3.30" by AYOV28::ATHOMSON (C'mon, git aff! /The Kelty Clippie) Mon Aug 07 1989 05:56

    Taken from Usenet this morning;
    
    From: [email protected]
Subject: PDC 3.30: via mailing list info-pdc
Date: 5 Aug 89 19:05:00 GMT
 
 
Guess what, folks?  After much hemming and hawing and debugging and debating,
Paul and I have given beta the boot and made it official:
 
PDC release 3.3 is now available for general distribution.
 
The details of how I will assist the distribution of PDC are, in brief:
 
* I have placed it up for anonymous FTP on uihub, in the directory
  pub/amiga/languages/PDC.  There are three sub-directories, organized like
  disks in the UXE archive, with one directory per disk in the distribution.
* A set will be placed in the Univeristy of Illinois Microcomputer
  Resource Center tomorrow, for free copying.
* A set will be given to CUCUG, which they will sell at a price of $15/set.
* At AmiExpo last weekend, I made contact with a number of magazines and
  PD software distribution organizations.  More info will be forthcoming.
* A set will be sent to Fred Fish, to distribute at his pleasure.
* Paul and I have arranged to handle direct orders for PDC through the
  following address:
			PDC Software Distribution
			P.O. Box 4006
			Urbana, IL  61801-8801
 
  The distribution can be obtained by sending $15 to the above address.  This
  also is how one can register as a PDC user and be eligible for certain
  benefits, yet to be decided upon, but will include discounts on any future
  updates by mail.
* And, of course, it is freely distributable, so you can always nab it when
  it passes your way.
 
Please report any bugs to this mailing list, or by sending email to Paul or
me.  Thanks!
				< Lionel
 
----------                               (new address, phone will soon change)
Lionel Hummel                                 409 Kenwood, Champaign, IL 61821
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign  [H] (217)344-5303  [W] (217)333-7408
[email protected]       {pur-ee,uunet}!uiucdcs!hummel            BIX: lhummel


From: [email protected]
Subject: PDC 3.30: Release Notes
Date: 5 Aug 89 19:06:00 GMT
 
 
Release notes for PDC 3.30.2:
 
Bug list 
-------- 
- PDC cannot correctly take the address of function parameters that are of
  type char or short.  You can circumvent this bug by assigning the paramter
  to a dummy variable and taking the address of that.  You might consider
  declaring the dummy variable as 'static', particularly if you want the
  address to be valid after returning from the function, just beware of
  multiple invocations. 
- The arithmetic assignment and (++/--) operators do not function correctly
  for floating-point values.
- PDC cannot generate correct code for addressing automatic variables beyond 
  32K into the stack frame.
 
Name and copyright clarifications
---------------------------------
While PDC is an acronym for "Publicly Distributable C", it has been
frequently equated with "Public Domain C", which this software
distribution emphatically IS NOT.  Rather, the distribution (which
includes a compiler, assembler, linker, librarian, and numerous
utilities, documentation files, libraries, and header files) is as a
whole freely distributable.  Many pieces of PDC belong to the public
domain and are expressly labeled so.  Others are copyrighted and have
messages from the authors describing their terms of distribution.
 
Development history
-------------------
The Fish disks have included a number of compilers and assemblers.
These have had many bugs and not usable by the uninitiated C-programmer.
These various bits and pieces are collectively referred to as PDC
release 1.  Fish disk #110 gathered together Charlie Gibb's assembler
and Jeff Lydiatt's port of PDC.  It was usable by those who understand
about compilers, but generally limited in application because floats and
an integrated preprocessor were missing.  Fish disk 110 is what we refer
to as PDC release 2.  Paul then took PDC and added these two crucial 
missing features and fixed many bugs.  This provided a more robust
implementation for the experienced programmer.  The first release of
Paul's work was PDC release 3.1 which I distributed at AmiExpo/Midwest
in July '88.  PDC release 3.2 was a repackaging and maintenance release
which did not see extensive distribution. 
 
About PDC release 3.3
---------------------
This release presents a programming environment that is even more robust
and easier to use than before.  This is not to say that PDC is ready to
be considered commercial-grade, rather that it is now accessible to
programmers at every experience level.  Here is a list of features for
the PDC Software Distribution release 3.3:
 
        - PDC Compiler:
            - ANSI conformant (minus bit fields, trigraphs and a few other
              items of similar importance).  Support includes the following:
                - All ANSI preprocessor directives
                - Function prototyping
                - Structure passing and assignment
                - IEEE floating point
            - Supports Lattice-compatible libcall #pragmas, plus a #pragma
              switch to specify CPU or library based 32-bit integer math.
            - Can generate and use pre-compiled header files.
            - Allows inline code generation for __BUILTIN_ functions.
            - Can be compiled and run under UNIX (SunOS), generating DBX
              debugging info.
	- General distribution containing executables, header files, 
          libraries, sample files, and documentation on a single disk,
          plus two disks of source code.
        - Many additional tools and utilities
            - A68k version 2.42
            - CCX compiler frontend (UNIX cc clone)
            - BLink version 6.7
            - DECUS Make utility
            - Bind utility for generating stub-routines
            - Libr object module librarian
	- Source included:
            - Latest version of the PDC Compiler.
            - Latest release of Charlie Gibb's A68k assembler.
	    - PDC Libraries and miscellaneous utility programs.
	- Presents a straightforward baseline for Amiga programming, and
	  usable as a "turnkey" compiler for source code distributions.
 
Directions for future work
--------------------------
	- Better code generation.
        - Direct generation of object code.
        - Amiga debugging support.
        - Integration with editors that support AReXX.
        - Programmer AReXX support.
        - A linker to replace BLink.
        - IFF-based object format and resource editor.
 
 
                                Lionel D. Hummel
                                1 August 1989

From: [email protected]
Subject: PDC 3.30: README
Date: 5 Aug 89 19:08:00 GMT
 
 
README - Some remarks and words of advice on using PDC
------------------------------------------------------
 
The major pieces of this distribution are the compiler (PDC), the assembler
(A68k), the linker (BLink), and the libraries and header files.  Tying
everything together is a "front-end" program (CCX), which takes care of a
lot of the drudgery behind creating an executable program.
 
Things to do before invoking CCX
--------------------------------
 
CCX makes use of the following environment variables:
 
        PDCLibs - Lists the libraries with which to link
        PDCLibDirs - Lists the directories to search for libraries
        PDCIncDirs - Lists the directories to search for include files
 
Multiple entries for an environment variable are delimited by
semicolons.  See the file s/start on this disk and the documentation to
CCX in the doc directory on this disk for examples of how to use the
environment variables. 
 
As for your search path, at the very least you ought to have in it the
directory containg CCX, PDC, A68k, and BLink.  This is necessary if you
plan to use CCX. 
 
Stack size for running PDC should be above the CLI's default of 4K.
20000 bytes has been sufficient for the compiler to handle everything
I've given it.  To be safe it is best to put the command "Stack 20000"
in your startup-sequence, because forgetting later on usually results in
a visit from the Guru. 
  
In summary:
 
        - Set the environment variables PDCLibs, PDCLibDirs, and PDCIncDirs.
	- CCX requires that PDC, A68k, and Blink be in your search path.
	- PDC needs at least 20K of stack space to run safely.
 
 
Headers, Libraries, and Startup code
------------------------------------
 
Standard C headers can be found in the directory "include" on this disk.
See below for more information on Amiga-specific headers.
 
The PDC Software Distribution includes the three library files necessary to
compile programs written for the Amiga.  Here are some short descriptions of
them:
 
* Amiga.lib
 
     Amiga.lib contains the hundereds of assembly language stubs, or
     "stub-routines", that allow programs written in C to call the Amiga's
     standard set of shared libraries.  It also contains a few functions to
     aid in the construction and destruction of some common entities (eg,
     CreateTask, DeletePort, NewList, etc.).  The version of Amiga.lib
     included with PDC can be built automatically by invoking the makefile
     contained in the "lib/src" directory on this disk and providing your
     Workbench 1.3 Extras disk. 
 
* PDC.lib:
 
     PDC.lib contains a large subset of the ANSI C functions, as well as some
     runtime support functions and other extensions.  A (currently, partial)
     list of the functions provided in PDC.lib and Math.lib can be found in
     the file MANIFEST in the LibSrc directory on the Libs and Utils disk. 
 
* Math.lib:
 
     Math.lib contains library and runtime support functions for performing
     floating point math.  Currently, PDC supports only IEEE double precision
     math via the Amiga's shared libraries, ieeedoubbas.library and
     ieeedoubtrans.library.  As you may realize, this default requires that
     Workbench 1.3 be available at runtime in order use the transcendental
     functions.  The source code for the transcendental functions is
     provided, though, if you care to use it.
 
Most programs written specifically for the Amiga, including much source
code to this distribution, require the Amiga header files in order to
compile.  Those who also own one of the commercial C compilers can
generally get away with using the headers that come with those compilers
[1].  In any case, I recommend that you obtain the Native Developer
Update (NDU) from Commodore-Amiga Technical Support (CATS).  The NDU
includes commented and stripped versions of the Amiga C and assembly
language headers, the fabled Autodocs, a healthy batch of README files,
and Commodore's standard libraries and utilities.  Altogether, you get
four disks for US$20; an excellent deal.
 
To receive your own copy of the Native Developer Update, send to the
following address a check for $20 (US) made payable to Commodore
Business Machines:
 
				CATS - Orders
				1200 Wilson Drive
				West Chester, PA  19382
 
 
[1]  However, beware of conflicts!  You should set up your PDCIncDirs
     environment variable so that it reads the PDC headers first, lest
     you wind up with the wrong version of stdio.h or some other such
     problem.
 
Although the PDC Software Distribution is freely distributable, and we wish
it to remain as much so as possible, there is a considerable amount of time
involved in maintaining and improving the software and documentation.  If
it proves financially feasible, Paul Petersen and I would like to continue
improving PDC at a more rapid pace, and still maintain its status as a
freely distributable package.  The bottom line is, your donation of $10, or
whatever PDC is worth to you, is an excellent way to reward our work and
encourage further development.  Furthermore, if you wish to receive the most
current release of PDC directly from us, just send in a donation of $15 or 
more and we'll mail out the three-disk set right away.
 
If you have access to Usenet, you can participate in discussion on PDC by
subscribing to the info-pdc mailing list.  You can do this by sending email
to [email protected] (uunet!uiucdcs!pdc-request).  Or, if you have
something you wish to discuss with us directly, you can reach us by email:
 
	[email protected]		or, on BIX: lhummel
	[email protected]
 
				Enjoy,
				Lionel Hummel
				Paul Petersen
 
                                PDC Software Distribution
                                P.O. Box 4006
                                Urbana, IL  61801-8801
    

    I know that this is perhaps a little early but can anyone get their
    hands on this new PDC distribution and post it to the net ?
    
    If not, I'm definitely going to send off the $15 and get the three
    disk set ASAP. (and, of course, I will post to the net as quick
    as I can) but as I'm in the UK it may take a while.....
    
    				Alan T.
    				(still without a viable C compiler)

    
    It's been awhile.  Anyone spot PDC?  Will it show up on Fish disks
    soon?
    Looking to play with C, without the big expense.
    I'll also be sending direct if no response in a couple of days.
    
    Dennis
    

    I sent off direct to the authors within a couple of days of its
    announcement on Usenet which was several weeks ago now. I've heard
    nothing since..... (but I'm in the UK)
    
    						Alan T.