Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!cbatt!ihnp4!alberta!myrias!cg
From: cg@myrias.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: include files
Message-ID: <489@myrias.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Mar-87 13:26:38 EST
Article-I.D.: myrias.489
Posted: Mon Mar  2 13:26:38 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 4-Mar-87 20:37:55 EST
References: <1627@amiga.amiga.UUCP> <106@gtss.UUCP> <2614@well.UUCP> <1448@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Sender: brb@myrias.UUCP
Organization: Myrias Research, Edmonton
Lines: 71
Summary: I'm asking again if I can include derived include files on a shareware distribution.

In article <1448@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>, mikeb@cbmvax.cbm.UUCP (Mike Brenner SW) writes:
> 
> The Amiga Includes and their derivatives are all copyrighted property
> of Commodore-Amiga Inc. They are not public domain and not freely
> distributable. Their accuracy directly affects the performance of software
> produced for the Amiga.
> 
> To insure the best possible control over these files we have not authorized
> their general circulation other than under our control.
> 
> That being said, their existance is not confidential. We encourage publication
> and dissemination of information about their use that does not include
> copies of the actual files. Because the files themselves are subject to
> change over time, we cannot allow specific values to be quoted. You can
> however talk about how to find specific values. You can create tools for
> utilizing our files. You can even restructure them for your own needs if
> that is appropriate. But you cannot distribute copies of the Includes in any
> form.
> 
> The good news is the latest 1.2 Include files are readily available from:
> 
> Commodore Business Machines
> Amiga Technical Support 
> Attn: Kim Montgomery
> 1200 Wilson Drive
> West Chester, Pa. 19380
> 
> Order the Native Developer Update
> Price $20.
> 
> 
> Michael C. Brenner
> Vice President, Software

Hmm, this is, er, interesting.

We're not allowed to give out copies of the full Amiga C include files. I can
see some sense in this. As a programmer who doesn't want erroneous copies of
his work floating around, and who wants to remain master of the definition of
some of that work, I have some sympathy for the point of view. However...

I'm still not sure if this means I can't give out copies of my Draco include
files (hopefully I didn't forget to mention last time that my forthcoming
shareware compiler isn't a C compiler?). I spent a week or so of pretty
solid editing to produce them (usually with the equivalent C include file
in another editor window). My includes are closer in spirit to those that
are used with TDI's Modula-2 compiler than to the C ones. Producing them
automagically from the C files would be VERY difficult. (I DO produce my
interface libraries automatically from the .fd files.) I've removed all
comments, renamed some fields as required by the language (especially in the
intuition ones (I split the big intuition.h into several smaller ones)), used
Draco's concept of an unknown type to make all includes files independent,
reformatted some to make them smaller, added procedure declarations (with
parameter types), etc. I refrained from changing lists of constants into
enumerated types as TDI did (although I was sorely tempted!) I also made some
more of the bit definitions depend on the bit numbers (found one that was
wrong too, but I forget where - perhaps in the Expansion stuff?)

So anyway, I'll ask again. Can I legally put my Draco include files (derived
indirectly from the copyrighted C include files) on a shareware distribution?
Keep in mind that it's unlikely that Commodore would add my includes to their
disk set so that people can buy them, and that my includes can't be
automatically produced from the C includes. Also keep in mind that the TDI
files seem to contain only a TDI (and Modula Corporation) copyright. Also that
if you forbid this, you are effectively killing any possibility of a useful
shareware or freeware compiler for the Amiga.

Again, I apologize for posting this, but I suspect a number of people would
be interested in any replies.

		Chris Gray (ubc-vision,sask,ihnp4)!alberta!myrias!cg