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From: e07@nikhefh.hep.nl (Eric Wassenaar)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apollo
Subject: SR10 librarian (lbr) functionality loss
Message-ID: <558@nikhefh.hep.nl>
Date: 25 Oct 88 12:57:30 GMT
Organization: Nikhef-H, Amsterdam (the Netherlands).
Lines: 35


The SR10 librarian (lbr) has lost almost all functionality provided by
the SR9 and previous versions. It is a completely different utility now.
Its new primitive behaviour is just like that of the unix 'ar' utility.

This is particularly cumbersome in fortran-oriented environments, with
certain methods for source code and library management.
Suppose one has a big source file foo.ftn containing many fortran source
modules. Compilation results in one object file foo.bin containing all
object modules.
The old lbr would be able to put those object modules as individual
entries into a library, which could be loaded as needed.
The new lbr just puts the whole foo.bin as one entry into the library.
If one loads from this library, and needs only a few modules, one gets
everything.
The old lbr could also give extensive information about the contents
of a library and its modules, like defined entry points, externals,
common blocks used, and numerous statistical data.

Several years ago, the high-energy physics community, as one of the
big fortran user groups, has urged Apollo to provide a sophisticated
librarian with the same functionality as found in other heavy fortran
oriented environments. The fact that such utility was quickly provided,
was one of the reasons to remain in favor of Apollo workstations.

It is disappointing to notice that compatibility with previous releases
is now broken. Does Apollo have any short term plans to enhance the
librarian to provide the same functionality as it had before?

Eric Wassenaar
-- 
Organization: NIKHEF-H, National Institute for Nuclear and High-Energy Physics
Address: Kruislaan 409, P.O. Box 41882, 1009 DB Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 5920412   Home phone: +31 20 909449    Telex: 10262 (hef nl)
Internet: e07@nikhefh.hep.nl  Bitnet: nikhefh!e07@mcvax.bitnet