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From: abp@j.cc.purdue.edu (Jeffrey J Wieland)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.modula2
Subject: Re: Turbo Modula-2
Message-ID: <5716@j.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Wed, 28-Oct-87 12:12:12 EST
Article-I.D.: j.5716
Posted: Wed Oct 28 12:12:12 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Oct-87 09:04:07 EST
References: <388NU113738@NDSUVM1>
Reply-To: abp@j.cc.purdue.edu.UUCP (Jeffrey J Wieland)
Organization: Purdue University
Lines: 33


Turbo Modula-2 does indeed exist!  However, if you don't have a machine with a
Z80 compatible processor (Hitachi 64180, Z280, etc.) you're out of luck.  From
its reviews, it appears to be the fastest compiled language for CP/M-80.  It
runs 10 iterations of the sieve benchmark in ~6 seconds on a 5 megaherz Kaypro.
I assume that the 64180 version would be even faster.  Turbo Pascal 3.01A does
it in ~18 seconds.  The other Modula-2 compiler for CP/M, FTL, runs the sieve
in ~12 seconds, but it produces MUCH more compact code.  The Turbo compilers
both link in a set of run-time routines upon compilation to disk, while FTL
only links in the necessary routines.  (Sorry if this terminology is a bit
strange for M-2, I program in C, Pascal & (AUGH!) FORTRAN.)

I understand that there is also a FTL compiler for MS-DOS, but that it is
currently only small code, small data.  This may have been changed by now.
FTL has an integrated environment ala' Turbo Pascal, but it does it by
chaining back & forth between the editor and the compiler.  You really need
a hard disk or good-sized ram disk to use it.  A fast quad-density drive
probably wouldn't be too bad either.

Turbo Modula-2 for Z80's is available from Echelon (the ZCPR/ZRDOS people) for
about $90.00.

Turbo Modula-2 for the 64180 is available from MicroMint (the SB-180 people)
for about $70.00.

FTL Modula-2 for CP/M & MS-DOS is available from Workman & Assoc. for about $50.

I have no connection with any of the above mentioned companies.  I am a
(relatively) satisfied owner of Turbo Pascal, and if I had $90 to spare, I'd
have my check off to Echelon so fast it would make Phillipe Kahn's head spin!

				Jeff Wieland
				abp@j.cc.purdue.edu