classic back ends?

From: Jerome Fine <jhfine_at_idirect.com>
Date: Sat Apr 3 09:29:52 1999

>Chuck McManis wrote:

> Are there backends for the GCC compiler tools for the 'classic' computers
> out there? I'm particularly interested in a PDP-11 back end at the moment
> as it seems that I could easily port uC/OS II to the 11/23 and have
> something useful without forking over the RT11 dough.

Jerome Fine replies:

As Tim Shoppa pointed out, the DECUS "C" compiler is fairly
good and includes all the source code. However I don't understand
your reference to uC/OS II? Please explain. Since I use RT-11,
I would be very interested.

> In lieu of that, if I compile programs using RT11 under Supnik's emulator
> can I run them on a "real" 11 legally?

As far as I can understand, what you do with a SAV file is your business.
I have never heard of any restrictions on using the portions of the libraries
that are combined into an executable program. Now if you start with
DECUS "C" and use those libraries, I presume that is double insurance.
I presume that you are referring to V5.3 which is available at gateway.

Incidentally, I hope to soon be able to make some Y2K patches available
for V5.3 of RT-11. I don't see why they should not be legal to use
since I will take special pains to produce them under the Supnik
emulator via V5.3 using MACRO and BINCOM and SIPP
from V5.3 of RT-11. Then, anyone who is legally able to use
V5.3 of RT-11 should also be able to legally use the Y2K patches.
Perhaps Megan Gentry might feel like making a comment on ONLY
the legality of using Y2K patches for some of the V5.3 utilities like
DIR and PIP. I realize that not all of V5.3 will be done immediately,
but if some of us take a crack at the most important utilities,
the rest could be done later.

But as Tim Shoppa pointed out, on a real PDP-11, there is no GUI.
But once you are finished, you could still run the programs anywhere.
Might it be worthwhile to then use Eratz-11 on a PC with the GUI.
At some point, John Wilson has proposed setting up a stand alone
Eratz-11 which will not use DOS. Not a perfect solution, I realize,
but just a suggestion. Have fun!

I will shortly list a few things from my PDP-11 stores that are big
and heavy and that I must dispose of ASAP:

2 * LA120 were working when last I tried
11/34 I picked it up so it would not get tossed
large cabinets for the RL02s (the RL02s may come later)
This is local pickup ONLY in Toronto. This stuff can't
easily be wrapped. Please e-mail me off-list.
In addition, I will be in Buffalo within a week and
hope to pick up some PDP-11 Qbus stuff. I understand
that there was some available at one point. Does anyone
still have any Qbus hardware? I might consider lugging
one item with me to Buffalo from the list above, but
I have only a car and it would stick out. Not a good
idea at highway speeds.

Sincerely yours,

Jerome Fine
Received on Sat Apr 03 1999 - 09:29:52 BST