Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ncar!tank!daisy!troy
From: troy@daisy.uchicago.edu (Troy Zerr)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.modula2
Subject: Re: Best compiler for IBM environment ?
Summary: Consider JPI modula-2
Message-ID: <1739@tank.uchicago.edu>
Date: 7 Feb 89 04:18:53 GMT
References: <3301@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
Sender: news@tank.uchicago.edu
Reply-To: troy@daisy.UUCP (Troy Zerr)
Organization: U. Chicago Mathematics Dept.
Lines: 48

In article <3301@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu> rezac@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:
>I'd like to get a Modula-2 compiler and experiment a bit to see if the
>features of the language would work for several applications with which I'm
>currently tinkering, i.e., rewriting.  To this end I'd like suggestions and 
>recommendations for a M2 compiler that generates linkable object modules, is 
>inexpensive < $200, and provides a well supported environment for the neophyte 
>Modula-2 user.  I know Pascal but have never used Modula-2.>

Consider JPI Modula-2.  It originated as a Borland project but was bought 
by JPI when Borland decided to put its resources into Turbo C.  It
costs about $100 for the basic package, and has two add-ons:  a technical
kit, which includes an overlay system, rs-232 communications, and a
TSR maker; and a visual debugger which includes a disassembler.
(About $60 each) 
 
The basic package includes an integrated programming environment, so
you can edit, compile, link, and run without going through DOS.
Standard library modules include the usual i/o, file i/o, string
handling, graphics (nothing fancy but supports VGA 640x480) and
a nice multitasking scheduler.  While it doesn't have inline
assembly code, JPI claims it produces tight code.  (It does do port
I/O instructions as inline code, important to time-critical routines.)
It has a smart linker, meaning that when you IMPORT a module, only
the code that you use is linked and not the entire module.  This
makes the usual .OBJ files incompatible with microsoft's linker--
however, a command-line switch can be used to produce microsoft-
compatible .obj's.  The built-in editor is kind of slow but probably
fast enough for light use.
 
The technical kit is good for satisfying one's curiosity, and is a MUST
if you wish to use the serial ports.  The TSR module works, and is okay
for a "quick-and-dirty" TSR, but the resulting code takes up to much 
memory to use constantly.

I haven't used the debugger add-on.

Overall I have been quite happy with JPI Modula-2.  I use it for almost
all of my (somewhat limited) programming tasks.  If you know Pascal
(even if you don't) learning Modula-2  ought to be a piece of cake.

If only they would speed up the screen updates on that d**m editor!
 
                               Troy Zerr
                               University of Chicago
                               Department of Mathematics
 
 
Disclaimer:  I'm not a computer person, but I play one on TV. . .