[Info-vax] VMS Software Releases Roadmap Updates

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 9/27/2021 8:26 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> On 9/27/21 2:08 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 9/27/2021 1:53 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>>> On 2021-09-27, Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk> wrote:
>>>> *IF* you are willing to cross compile your Basic code on Itanium.
>>>>
>>>> But I fear that at least some people will question the "production
>>>> ready" status when native compilers are not available. That is
>>>> not a real issue (it is common for some types of system to
>>>> use cross compile), but it could very well be a perceived like
>>>> that.
>>>
>>> Not everyone will have an Itanium system. Some people are still
>>> on Alpha.
>>>
>>> It's a pity there's no such thing as an Itanium full-system emulator
>>> as one solution could have been to give everyone who buys a x86-64
>>> VMS system a temporary Itanium licence with a two-year expiry period.
>>
>> Relevant point.
>>
>> There are a significant number of VMS customers still on Alpha.
>>
>> But what does a low end Itanium with VMS license cost
>> from IslandCo?
>>
>> 5000??
>>
>> (Dave Turner - maybe start advertising a prepacked Itanium with
>> cross compilers bundle)
>>
>> Way too much for a hobbyist but should not be a problem for
>> commercial context.
> 
> If I was a CEO and my CIO came to me with a scheme like that he
> would be looking for a new job.

Maybe. But it would be pretty silly.

You have one or more inhouse applications on VMS
or you are an ISV selling a VMS application. You spend
between a few hundreds of thousands per yer up to
a few dozens of millions per year on that/those
applications. And you are not willing to spend
5000 to get 6-15 months head start on porting
to the new VMS platform.

That does not make any sense. There can be other
valid reasons not to do it. Like no need/demand
or wanting to see the production platform before
committing to port. But the money in itself should
not be an issue.

Arne