🚀 go-pugleaf

To all potential Modula-2 lovers

Have you ever heard about the ETH Zuerich ? Yes, this is the place where
N. Wirth 'invented' Modula-2.
A few weeks ago I heard some rumors about the development of a native code
Modula-2 compiler at the 'Inistitut fuer Informatik der ETH'. As I went 
there, I found that they were giving away a prerelease version of this
compiler. I could convince them, that it would be a great thing to post
this package to usenet. As they don't have the time to do this, I decided
to do it for them at the 'Institut fuer Informatik' of the University of 
Zuerich (that's where I'm studying).
But now the problems started. As the posting-program didn't work, I had to
contact our sysop. And when he heard that I was going to post about
500 kByte he stopped me and asked me to prove first, that there is
enough interest out there for this compiler, to justfy it's transmission
costs !!!
So I hope you won't let me down and send some e- or p-mail (p stands
for paper). Make our VAX smoke and the postman walk the whole day !

Here is some more information about the compiler:
(you'll find more details in the documentation)

- The compiler is based on a general 68K Modula-2 compiler written at
  another ETH institute.
- At the ETH there are now two people working on the development of the
  Mac version. As they don't have much time, I am collecting every piece of
  information and will give them a summary. So for the moment, contact
  me if you've got anything for them.
- The current version of the the compiler supports I/O (files, screen,
  keyboard and mouse). It allows direct access to QuickDraw. Toolbox- and
  serial driver access are under development. (In fact I've already seen
  some demonstration programs running). Among other things it will depend
  on your reactions whether or not this release will also be available as
  'public domain'. 
- Even if the compiler produces native 68K code there is a little loader
  to start the programs (about 8 kByte; this could be reduced down to
  4 kByte by taking out some debugging code). Perhaps somebody could even
  write a loader that would produce stand alone programs ?!.
- At the moment you need a FatMac to compile, but programs will also run
  on a SmallMac. It is highly recommended to use the compiler on a two
  drive system.
- Compiling isn't very fast at the moment but they are working on this
  (moving the workfiles from disk to RAM).
- Apart from the loader, the whole compiler is written in Modula-2. The
  policy on providing the source code isn't very clear yet. As far as I 
  heard, you may buy a licence to get it (I've no idea about the price).
- The whole System needs three disks: one with the library, the compiler
  and the linker, one with your source code and one with the documentation
  (including the definition modules). You don't need the documentation disk
  while developing programs.
- The posting would be divided into 13 files of a size between 31 kByte
  and 64 kByte. The files are packed with PackIt (which appeard about two
  weeks ago on the net) and binhexed with BH4.0.
  
That's all for the moment. But let me say it clearly one more time:

         ******************************************************
         ****** THE COMPILER WILL BE POSTED ONLY, IF YOU ******
         ****** PROVE YOUR INTEREST BY SENDING SOME MAIL ******
         ******************************************************

Please answer some or all of the following questions:

- should the compiler be posted to the net or not ????????????

- would you be interested in a Mac-Modula-Users-Group ?
- would you like to assist the ETH people e.g. by writing some modules for
  the compiler. What's your background to do so (skills, machines ...) ?
- your address (p- and e-mail)
- any other comment

The faster you send me your answer, the earlier I'll be able to post the
whole stuff.

p-mail:  Matthias Aebi
         Hirschgartnerweg 25
         CH-8057 Zuerich
	 Switzerland
	 
e-mail:  UseNet:  !{seismo,mcvax,cernvax,unizh}!aebi