[Info-vax] VMS port to x86

[Michael Kraemer]

In article <543564.889.1332262058086.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums at vbgx21>,
abrsvc <dansabrservices at yahoo.com> writes:

> 
> As with previous ports, there are many things involved.  Simply porting the=
>  compilers won't be enough.  The Macro compiler and the bliss compiler use =
> the GEM backend code generator.  That too would need to be developed.  Also=
> , tehre are "hardware assists" that are used to implement some of the VMS "=
> isms" that exist.  For example, I don't think that the x86 has the concept =
> of 4 operating priv modes.

Another aspect could be, that for a software product as complex as VMS,
one could imagine that over the decades, 
the owners have accumulated a gazillion of
(regression) test cases to ensure proper functioning even for rare situations.
Unless these are released too, a lot of wheels would have to be reinvented.