Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!mintaka!ai-lab!life.ai.mit.edu!petrilli From: petrilli@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Chris Petrilli) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Re: Fortran on the Next platform Message-ID: Date: 27 May 91 02:10:54 GMT References: <1991May25.003520.20433@math.ucla.edu> Sender: news@ai.mit.edu Organization: The Free Software Foundation Lines: 44 In-reply-to: simmons@rigel.neep.wisc.edu's message of 26 May 91 21:37:44 GMT Kim Simmons writes: [... quotes of other's discussion of FORTRAN compiler ...] True but, (1) Sun has a FORTRAN compiler, NeXT does not. NeXT may not have a Fortran compiler, but that does not mean that there is not a Fortran compiler for the NeXT, which is more important. There is currently work being done on a GNU Fortran front end for GCC, which will be running on the NeXT as one of the first platforms (since there is a NeXT at the FSF). This should put an end to this discussion, as NeXT will, most likely, distribute the new compiler with their machines, making them the only company in the world that ships, as standard equipment, a C, C++, Objective-C and Fortran compiler. Also, Lisp will be back as soon as ACL is ready from what I hear, but only for higher education customers. (2) Sun has always and continue to give us their FORTRAN compiler, without us having to pay for it (so does DEC by the way). If I am not mistaken, you do pay for it in a softare update contract. I know that the University of Texas does this (last I heard), and they pay $$$$$$$ for it (the many $ are intentional). It isn't free, as Sun has never done anything free. (3) No students or individuals have Sparcstations around here that i know i.e. personal purchase as opposed to say University Departmental purchase. Not many Suns in the hands of students at UT, but why does that matter? (4) Because Sun does it does not mean that NeXT should do it, even if they had a FORTRAN compiler to do it with. As I said before, having a Fortran compiler (and translator) available 3rd party is just as good IMHO. Chris -- | Chris Petrilli | petrilli@gnu.ai.mit.edu | I don't even speak for myself.