[Info-vax] Free Pascal for VMS ?

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 5/21/2018 1:38 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 5/21/2018 9:10 AM, seasoned_geek wrote:
>> On Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 12:44:09 PM UTC-5, dgordo... at gmail.com wrote:
>>> The goal is compile, link and go -- same as it was for IA64.  We're 
>>> putting some effort into undoing a decade of deferred development and 
>>> there will be (as Hoff has pointed out) much more to do after the 
>>> first X86 release.
>>
>> Except for the ADA systems. They get to just leave, tossing everything 
>> with an HP label from every unit of their business.
>>
>> Except for insert-language-here systems. The get to just leave, 
>> tossing everything with an HP label from every unit of their business.
>>
>> I've never seen a *nix compiler for VAX BASIC so Dave really should be 
>> nervous.
> 
> Ya know, Dave WAS nervous, but hopeful.  Dave also has a database 
> product still in use written mostly in Macro-32.

I don't think you have any reason to worry.

Both Basic and Macro-32 are in VSI roadmap.

I think you should consider changing language for long term
maintainability.  Macro-32 for database does not sound like
an optimal choice. Basic is much more viable, but even there
you may find benefits from migrating long term.

But that is a another story.

> But once again, you're predicting without any idea of what might happen. 
>   You say there will not be an Ada compiler.  How do you know that? 
> Perhaps there is not one now, or any announced plans for one.  But VSI 
> will look at what their customers are asking for, and if there is demand 
> and good business sense to do so, do you doubt John's ability to produce 
> a new up to date Ada compiler?

Ada is a bit more uncertain.

My understanding is that VSI has not talked about migrating
the extremely old DEC Ada 83 but has talked about getting ACT
to port their modern Ada. But ACT has dropped VMS as a platform,

I do not doubt that John could create an Ada compiler, but
every indication is that he will be working on other stuff.

So it will be VSI management talking to ACT management.

Or talk to the great guys that made GNAT work on VMS I64
about an x86-64 version. See post some time ago!

If I were dependent on Ada on VMS, then I would also be
a bit concerned.

Arne