[Info-vax] Running OpenVMS native on x86 . . .

[Johnny Billquist]

On 2011-12-09 13.31, VAXman- @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
> In article<jbstvm$o48$1 at Iltempo.Update.UU.SE>, Johnny Billquist<bqt at softjar.se>  writes:
>> On 2011-12-09 12:38, VAXman- @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
>>> In article<jbsj82$b9i$2 at Iltempo.Update.UU.SE>, Johnny Billquist<bqt at softjar.se>   writes:
>>>> On 2011-12-09 00.31, JF Mezei wrote:
>>>>> When porting to a new architdecture, to get to a point where you get to
>>>>> the $ sign with a minimum startup,  what compilers would you need ?
>>>>>
>>>>> I guess you would need some C, probably Macro32. Would you still need an
>>>>> assembler native to that platform for the early boot sequence ?
>>>>
>>>> Nothing is written in the native assembly language for the new platform,
>>>
>>> What *new* platform?  If you mean Itanium, then you're wrong!
>>
>> Read through what you reply to, please... In fact, just look at the
>> quoting you even kept:
>> "When porting to a new architecture..."
>
> Then, again, I have to ask WRT "Nothing is written in the native assembly
> language for the new platform", what *new* platform?

Any. If you decide to port VMS to a new platform, there is obviously at 
that point nothing that is (already) written in the native assembly 
language for that new platform, so an assembler for that platform is not 
an obvious need.

I hope I managed to express myself clearly this time.

>> That reply seems cut off, somehow. What do you mean?
>> It is definitely possible to write device drivers in C.
>
> Yes, it is possible to write a device driver in C.  However, not knowing
> the device and or what other things might need to be done, a blind answer
> of C as *THE* solution is not correct.

I never suggested that C was *the* solution. I'm merely pondering and 
suggesting things that are needed/not needed, if you ever port to a new 
platform. Macro-32 and Bliss are on the must list. I don't know if C is. 
I am hesitant to claim that a native assembler is.

	Johnny