Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss Path: utzoo!telly!evan From: evan@telly.on.ca (Evan Leibovitch) Subject: DG ships 'gcc' by default Message-ID: <1989Oct10.020742.9735@telly.on.ca> Organization: Telly Online, Brampton, Ontario Date: Tue, 10 Oct 89 02:07:42 GMT I was involved in a system evaluation which involved, among other systems, the Data General Aviion 5100. This is based on the Motorola 88000 and is appearently a pretty new model. During the selection process, I had to compile benchmark software on all the systems. I was intrigued by Data General's seeming dependence on the GNU C compiler as its production compiler. The GCC is listed in Data General documentation as a DG product, complete with product number. It is the only C compiler shipped with the system, as the Green Hills compiler is an extra cost option. Nowhere in the DG docs (I looked) included the FSF General Agreement or any copyright/copyleft information separate from DG's own legalese. I do recall that the GCC source code was available for no charge if the user requested a tape of 'contributed software' from DG (which, I believe, contains some other freely-distributable software). But nowhere did I see explicit allowance for copying of the GCC or its libraries. The DG documentation alluded that DG had made 'improvements' on the GCC code. I do not know whether the source for such improvements was either made available in source or offered to the FSF. I am curious. Has Data General made any contribution to the FSF in thanks for allowing DG get away without developing its own compiler? Does the DG system use GNU or AT&T libraries (if GNU, then I assume the compiled binaries are subject to copyleft). Moreover, does the above use of GCC (supplied as a manufacturer's product, without the accompanying copyleft information) constitute a misuse of the software? Can the FSF cripple the Aviion project by prohibiting such use? Was it prudent for DG to make GCC the primary compiler rather than an option? -- Evan Leibovitch, Sound Software, located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario evan@telly.on.ca / uunet!attcan!telly!evan Canada could have enjoyed: English government,French culture,American know-how; Instead we ended up with: English know-how,French government,American culture.