[Info-vax] Open Source on OpenVMS (was: Re: Taking a break...)

[seasoned_geek]

On Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 4:33:02 PM UTC-5, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 6/16/2022 3:11 PM, Stephen Hoffman wrote: 
> > On 2022-06-16 13:50:16 +0000, seasoned_geek said: 
> >> The one package that shoulda-woulda-coulda made a lot of sense was 
> > Definitely. OpenVMS app ports from Rdb to not-Rdb will involve a fair 
> > amount of work, and the pre-compilers are just part of that "fun". (I'll 
> > have to ponder what's involved in pre-compiler support, given LLVM-based 
> > languages. LLVM integrates far better than did DEC-era compilers.)
> Pre-compilers should not be a big problem. 
> 
> PostgreSQL comes with an embedded SQL for C compiler. 
> 
> There is an open source embedded SQL for Cobol compiler. 
> 
> VSI got embedded SQL working for all languages for SQL Relay - and 
> changing that from SQL Relay API to libpq API should not be a big 
> task. 
> 
> But question is how relevant it is. PostgreSQL will probably 
> appeal most to new application. And new applications will 
> probably not use embedded SQL. Embedded SQL is a technology 
> of the past. 
> 
> I expect to see libpq in C/C++, JDBC driver for JVM languages, 
> psycopg2 module for Python, pgsql extension in PHP etc.. 
> 

The PostgreSQLMOD needs to support, in order of priority just from my memory of what customers have:
VAX BASIC
COBOL
FORTRAN
DIBOL - which Synergy has a bunch of their own stuff now. This is running most of the currency exchanges in America and CVS.
PASCAL - as much as I hate typing that
C/C++

I probably left a couple of languages off. C/C++ has the smallest footprint. Companies trapped on TOLAS, LIOCS Perspective, older MCBA, MAXCIM Accounting, etc. need the first two. MCBA was always COBOL if memory serves. I vaguely remember someone telling me about an early first gen that was BASIC (possibly Business BASIC) before it moved to COBOL. Those companies are already dealing with RMS indexed file limits and a litany of hacks to work around them.


In addition some large use packages will need to be updated

Datatrieve
CDD - Gee Oracle, do you want to support a database you don't make a nickel from?