Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!ames!ptsfa!hoptoad!academ!killer!elg
From: elg@killer.UUCP (Eric Green)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: Re: 32000 Processors (Really: MINIX on 32016)
Message-ID: <1006@killer.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Jun-87 03:10:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: killer.1006
Posted: Tue Jun 16 03:10:05 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 25-Jun-87 01:14:01 EDT
References: <546@ubu.warwick.UUCP>
Organization: Bayou Telecommunications
Lines: 33

in article <546@ubu.warwick.UUCP>, arthur@warwick.UUCP (John Vaudin) says:
Re: Minix for 320xx:
> It seems to fit most of your criteria, it is multi tasking and the source
> is available very cheaply. It could easily provide the kind of common
> software base that you mention. Given the commonality of the 32000 family 
> across different hardware implementations I would think it would be
> very easy to port it to other 32000 based machines.
> 
> The one thing we lack at present is a PD or at least very cheap C compiler
> We are investigating the GNU compiler, and have had several offers of
> 32000 back ends for it. Stay tuned for more further developments.

A group of us here in Lafayette were thinking about writing an OS for the
320xx. The plan was to toss the Minix kernal, but use the Minix utilities.
The EE contingent of the group had already designed a pretty neat
multi-processor bus and the basic CPU and I/O stuff. It all came grinding to a
halt when we realized that we'd have to find a "C" compiler. A "C" compiler
isn't exactly trivial (at least, if you want it to generate decent code), and
while several members of the group have the necessary skill, we all work or go
to school, so time was too short..... I think that's probably the main thing
you'll find happening, the small stuff, can be done pretty quickly, but talk
about big stuff like a "C" compiler, and none of us on the net have time to do
it (just ask the Free Software Foundation).

So if you find a decent PD 320xx compiler, let us know! I looked at the GNU
"C"f compiler, and concluded that a) it won't run on a micro, which is what we
were doing all the development stuff on, and b) it's likely to need quite a
bit of work to work with a V7 clone...
--
Eric Green   elg%usl.CSNET     CS student, University of SW Louisiana
{cbosgd,ihnp4}!killer!elg      Apprentice Haquer, Bayou Telecommunications
Snail Mail P.O. Box 92191      BBS phone #: 318-984-3854  300/1200 baud
Lafayette, LA 70509            I disclaim my existence, and yours, too.