🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <8708281928.AA03601@cayuga.cs.rochester.edu>, maner@andy.bgsu.EDU (Walter Maner) writes:
> Several people have sent mail asking for information about Version 3.0 of
> Logitech Modula-2.  Logitech currently has an ad in several computing magazines
> (e.g., _Computer Language_, p. 15) which describes some of the new features.
> I gather from this ad that the new debugger is a mouse-based, multi-window
> system, that the new linker only links the routines that are actually
> referenced, that the new compiler generates DOS linker compatible object
> code, and that the new editor sports miscellaneous improvements in user-
> friendliness.  Up to this point, I've been describing the IBM-PC release.
> A new release (Version 4.0) of the VMS compiler is expected around September
> 26th.  It's rumored to be completely compatible with the IBM-PC release,
> which would be a welcome change, but I don't have any details yet.
> 
> Walter Maner	maner@research1.bgsu.edu

I have been using a beta-test version of Logitech's version 3.0
for the past month or two.  Based on this experience, I can
provide more details about the new release.  (Since this
was only a beta-test version, however, some details may change
in the final release.)

(1) Compiler.  The new compiler provides the LONGINT type (no LONGREAL
or LONGCARD) and allows sets of up to 255 elements.
The Logitech ads say that the compiler now accepts
the language defined in the Third Edition of Wirth's Programming
in Modula-2.  My beta-test version handles only a few of the
Third Edition changes, but Logitech assures me that they have
now implemented "99%" of the changes.  I'll have to wait for
the final release to find out what the missing 1% is.
  The compiler now offers an optimization option.  If you request
this option, the compiler will attempt improved register allocation.
Logitech claims an improvement of 10% in both code size and
execution time.
  The compiler produces an .OBJ file instead of a .LNK file.
The .OBJ format is compatible with the standard Microsoft/Intel
format used by MS-DOS, allowing linkage of a Modula-2 program
with routines written in other languages (including assembly
language).

(2) Linker.  The linker is brand-new.  The result of linking is an
.EXE file, not a .LOD file.  The run-time system is now linked into
every program.
  According to Logitech, the linker is "intelligent."  This means
that you need only give the linker the name of the program module;
it figures out what library modules need to be linked to complete
the program (just like the old linker).
  By specifying the /O option when linking, the linker will delete
code for procedures that cannot be called--a handy feature.

(3) Editor.  The editor (named "pt") is also new.  It is a mouse-based
editor that is apparently similar to one that Logitech has been
selling in conjunction with their mouse.  Like the old editor ("mod"),
pt provides a fast syntax check and the ability to compile and link
without leaving the editor.  It also allows execution of the program
from within the editor and provides an escape to DOS.
  The new editor apparently does not require a Logitech mouse; it
works fine with my Microsoft mouse.  You can also use it without a
mouse, although I haven't tried using it that way.  I like the new
editor much more than the old one.  It is similar to other mouse-based
editors and word processors, so I was able to begin using it
immediately.  Logitech supplies a lengthy manual for pt, but I have
not needed it.

(4) Debuggers.  The beta version included only the post-mortem
debugger; a new run-time debugger is in the works.
Both debuggers will be window-oriented and will support (but not
require) the use of a mouse.  I haven't tried the new post-mortem
debugger.

(5) Speed.  The compiler is now three-pass instead of four-pass
(the syntax analysis and declaration analysis passes were merged).
Logitech claims a speed increase of 10%-20%, which seems consistent
with my experience.  Unfortunately, the linker is much slower than
in version 2.0 (apparently a result of changing to .OBJ format).

(6) Availability.  Ads for version 3.0 began appearing in the
September issues of various computer magazines.  When I talked
to Logitech a few days ago, they had pretty much put the finishing
touches on the software and were working feverishly on the
documentation.  Allowing time for printing the manuals, the
release date should be sometime in September.

Kim King