🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello Cristopher,

In your article on the net you were asking for Modula-2
on a Ridge. We did not yet here about this system, but in case it is
MC680X0 based architecture you might have a look at ours.

Some features of the compiler:

          - Strict adherence to the language.  There are no extensions.
            (Well, you do need an interface to UNIX to base your libraries on,
            so we did include that one.)
            ACE is represented in the ISO working group on Modula-2
            standardisation and intends to keep its compilers in full
            accordance with the language definition.
            The compiler accepts either the edition 2 or the edition 3
            language, including NEWPROCESS, TRANSFER, and IOTRANSFER.

          - Reliability.  We have been using a proprietary validation suite for
            some time and are now one of the beta test sites for the BSI
            validation suite.  The compiler is part of a family, with C, Pascal
        ,
            Fortran, Cobol, and (real soon now) Ada.  These languages all have
            validation suites, which test not only the frontend, but also
            all parts of the code generator.
            The Modula-2 frontend has been used since 1985 on MC680X0 and VAXen
        .
            We have been working on compilers since 1980, and every bug we ever
            found ended up as a regression test.  This, in combination with
            careful version control should give you some trust in our compilers
        .
            In fact, we use them ourselves.

          - Easy reconfiguration.  There is a module ``SYSTEMX'' where most
            runtime support routines can be redeclared.  This is essential
            to stand alone applications, and under UNIX it gives you a place
            to hook in debugging or monitoring tools.

          - Good runtime checking.  Falling out of functions, derefencing NIL
            pointers, missing defaults in case statements, range errors,
            uninitialised variables etc. are all detected.

          - Recompilation support.  The compiler will detect inconsistencies
            between compilation dates and suggest a list of modules to be
            recompiled.  The compiler comes with a makefile generator to
            find module dependencies.

          - Documentation.  Compiler manuals tend to be boring, and so is ours.
            But it gives you all implementation defined decisions, how to
            interface to UNIX or standalone systems, and compiler options.
            What else could you need?

          - Availability.  The EXPERT Modula-2 compiler for Ultrix is available
         now.

          - Portability.  The same compiler is also available for Sun-3
            and other mc68000 and mc68020 machines.  A cross compiler is
            available under VMS.

          - Support.  A maintenance contract will get you yearly product
            updates, telephone support, and bugfixes if the need arises.

          - Pricing.  The EXPERT Modula-2 cost Dfl 9600,- plus handling charges
            for a single machine.  Library sources are available.

         If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact
         us.  Our address is:


                ACE Associated Computer Experts bv
                Van Eeghenstraat 100
                1071 GL  AMSTERDAM
                The Netherlands
                tel:   +31 20 646416
                telex: 11702 (ace nl)
                fax:   +31 20 750389

If youcan tell me more about the Ridge I would be very pleased.

Emile van Dantzig
<emile@ace.nl>