[Info-vax] VMS internals design, was: Re: BASIC and AST routines

[Dave Froble]

On 11/25/2021 4:04 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> On 11/25/21 2:20 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>
>> Those running VMS today are mostly those without an easy way off
>> VMS.
>>
>
>
> I would really like to know what people could be running on
> VMS on an Itanic that would be so difficult to move to a
> totally different system.  Any applications are almost
> guaranteed to be written in an HLL.  Just what is it that
> they are doing on VMS that can not be done on another
> system?
>
> bill
>
>

I sort of don't like doing this, but, it is what it is ...

Your posts include working for the government and a university.  Perhaps others, 
but that is what I recall.

I feel that perhaps you've never worked in an environment where being profitable 
is the first consideration.  I may be wrong.

Increasingly, companies depend on computer applications, note, not computers, 
but applications, to run their businesses.  The cost is an expense, not 
profitable, other than what such applications allow.

First, lets look at: "Any applications are almost guaranteed to be written in an 
HLL."  I can point to at lease one application where that is not true.  I've 
seen references to others also.  Just because you don't have one doesn't mean 
others don't.

Many applications, maybe most, at least those still being used, running on VMS 
would be costly to migrate/port to another environment.  I know that that is 
true for Basic, and I suspect it to be true for most or all languages.

Even if there might be some migration path other than total re-write, there will 
be costs, there will be mistakes, and such.  This costs money.  Money that takes 
away from profits, if not worse.

Just about anything can be done, with enough money and effort.  Where would this 
money and effort come from?  For those whose business is providing tha effort, 
perhaps they think the money should be available.  Those who would bear the cost 
might think otherwise.

Would VSI have customers now, if your conjecture had any merit?

In my case, an extensive application written almost exclusively in 
Basic+/BP2/VAX Basic/DEC Basic used to run multiple companies.  There is no 
substitute that I'm aware of that could be used to run these applications.  In 
all cases, there would be design work, programming work, mistakes, business 
disruption, failure, and such.  Nothing insignificant either, we're talking 7 or 
8 digits.

If it was so easy, why would not software competitors already have come forth 
with replacement applications.  It's not like VMS users have been treated well 
for many years by the OS vendor.  Where are those supposed alternatives?

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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