[Info-vax] Unix on A DEC Vax?

[David Froble]

Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2013-01-19 18:46:43 +0000, Wilm Boerhout said:
> 
>> Stephen Hoffman mentioned  on 19-1-2013 16:25:
>>>
>>> You're probably not going to do significant new development work on this
>>> target, right?
>>> Likely incremental enhancements and updates as needed, but probably not
>>> significant new work.
>>> Which means this gear will age out, as was mentioned up-thread.
>>>
>>>
>> Well, the "gear" will not age out, assuming you mean hardware. I've 
>> seen emulated VAXes go through several generations of increasingly 
>> newer and faster host platforms.
> 
> The crane.  The warehouse.  The production line.  Whatever the VMS 
> software was embedded within.  That will age out.
> 
>> The software, as I think I mentioned, is relatively stable, because it 
>> is tied to the layout and functionality of the warehouse.
> 
> So no significant new work.
> 
> When the new crane, new warehouse or new factory floor line — the next 
> generation or replacement — is contemplated, that probably won't target 
> an emulated environment.
> 
> Which means the emulated gear will age out, too.
> 

We could go back to the sun aging out too ....

Many businesses like this evolve.  Not so often is there wholesale drop 
in replacement.  Perhaps another warehouse will be added, in another 
location.  Many times it will be set up similar to existing warehouses, 
so that the existing software can also operate it too.

Perhaps the business will look at alternatives, and not like them.

I haven't really looked at emulators, yet.  No need, all our customers 
are running VMS on itanics, and it appears that HP and Intel are (today) 
making noises about this being a long term option.  And yes, we are 
continuing to develop, though not on emulators.

To be honest, today, I'm more worried about VMS than I am about the 
hardware.  HP has not been such a good host to the OS and related software.

The cycle may be longer, but devices change.  Older SCSI stuff is no 
longer being developed.  When the devices change, and the OS doesn't 
support the new stuff, you're in trouble.  Emulators may actually be an 
answer for such problems in the future.  Everything is software, and 
under the control of the emulator vendor.  You of course now have the 
emulator vendor to rely upon.  There are no 100% guarantees.

If Codis ever ended up on an emulator, that would not stop development. 
  Only all the customers moving to a new application would do that. 
Right now, that's not even an idle thought.

Some say the fat lady has already sung.  I'm not one of them.  You never 
know what the future brings, until it arrives.