[Info-vax] The (now lost) future of Alpha.

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 8/4/2018 12:07 AM, Tim Sneddon wrote:
> invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2018-08-02, Tim Sneddon <tsneddon at panix.com> wrote:
>>> invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
>>>> On 2018-08-01, Tim Sneddon <tsneddon at panix.com> wrote:
>>>>> invalid <address at is.invalid> wrote:
>>>>>> The PL/I compiler had over 200 passes at one time. That's a lot scarier than
>>>>>> writing any parser in any language ;)
>>>>>
>>>>> What? 200 passes? As someone who is likely more knowledgable than most in
>>>>> this particular arena, just what are you talking about?  Please, site
>>>>> examples and references, I'm very interested.
>>>>
>>>> Look on bitsavers for the MVS manuals, then PLM (Program Logic Manuals) then
>>>> find PL/I

>>> 200 passes?  This is ridiculous stuff.
>>
>> I'm looking for the doc. You could have also since you expressed interest.
>>
>> You don't have to be an asshole about it, even though you feel like you do.
> 
> Well, maybe I could have been a bit nicer about it.  Given you're the one
> making a wild claim, then it is on you to prove it.

I suspect that he has once read something on the internet and are just
referencing it.

http://www.softpanorama.org/Lang/pl1.shtml#IBM_wiped_the_floor_with_completion

does claim that the IBM PL/I compiler in 1966 had 100 passes
to be able to run using only 44 KB of memory.

It also mention that IBM replaced it in 1971/1970 (47/48 years ago)
and that those were replaced again in 1992 (26 years ago).

Arne