CompuServe Messages

M2Amiga

    11-Mar-88 22:21:13
Sb: M2Amiga
Fm: bob hawkins 70345,425
To: All
I got a copy of the M2Amiga demo disk today, and spent the evening checking it out. It seems to do what it claims; in particular, it really does support LONGREALs. You can even write down a LONGREAL constant in it. Speed (of compile + link and executable, based on the infamous Sieve) is comparable to TDI 3.01a. Size of the executable file is about the same as TDI without the -opt linker option. It uses the Amiga-supplied math libraries, which I prefer. Besides simplifying math coprocessor support, it gives the compiler writers fewer chances to introduce bugs; and since they are unlikely to really understand floating point, I'd rather stick to something that's been through the mill for a couple of years. The brochure that comes with the demo disk says that M2Amiga is self-compiled, which I like to hear. It means they wrote at least one large application in their own compiler. Another thing I liked hearing is that stability is one of the prime requirements in a compiler. Bottom line: I'm writing off the $N*100 I've spent on TDI as sunk costs and buying M2Amiga. I'd offer my TDI package for sale cheap, but I don't hate anyone that much.