Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!pepper!cmcmanis
From: cmcmanis%pepper@Sun.COM (Chuck McManis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Lattice 5.0 is out
Keywords: Source Level Debugger, better assember, Make included
Message-ID: <77037@sun.uucp>
Date: 10 Nov 88 20:10:41 GMT
Sender: news@sun.uucp
Lines: 51

Somewhat commercial posting follows, I don't have any association with
Lattice other than they were the first compiler I used. I also have the
Manx compiler (3.6) and I like it as well. Manx is said to be reading
4.x of their compiler for release. We'll compare that when it comes out.
In the mean time, the compiler wars continue with ...

Another step taken forward in the Compiler Wars, Lattice 5.0 was released
Tuesday November 8th. Needless to say I've ordered the Update and will
give a more complete review in another message. Lattice has once again
"bundled" stuff with their compiler, now it is called the "Compiler Companion".

New 5.0 features from their list :
	o Include source level debugger called "CodeProbe", it's supposed to
	  be like CodeView the Microsoft product. This is one of the most 
	  anxiously awaited feature.

	o Global Optimizer, which can, in theory, generate much smaller 
	  executables since it watches the whole program for improvements
	  rather than just sections. A good test for global optimization
	  is the drystone program because a good global optimizer will 
	  realize it doesn't "do" anything and optimized everything but
	  the printfs out of it :-).

	o The Compiler Companion which is essentially a bunch of utilities
	  they used to sell separately like lmk (make), lse (editor), 
	  cross reference utlity (cxref), and the old TMU package.

	o And a facility for having the compiler generate prototype files
	  for you rather than walking through your code by hand.

	o And "improvements" to the assembler to support the 68020 and 
	  '881.
	
	o Now in two manuals (I'm betting one is the old compiler companion
	  manual).

	o Oh and the debugger has an AREXX port, and the compiler talks to
	  the Editor (moves the cursor to the next error etc). It looks 
	  like they may have created an integrated compiler environment.

So it looks like quite a step forward. Updates range from $100 if you have
3.X to free if you bought or updated to 4.0 after July '88. Also they have
some deal where you can send them your Manx 3.4 or later compiler and $150
for their new compiler. This is actually cost effective if you haven't 
purchased Manx's debugger yet. The 4.0 to 5.0 cost is $75. List price on
the compiler is $300. For more information contact Lattice, they are at
(312) 916-1600.

--Chuck McManis
uucp: {anywhere}!sun!cmcmanis   BIX: cmcmanis  ARPAnet: cmcmanis@sun.com
These opinions are my own and no one elses, but you knew that didn't you.