Feb 28, 2010

This is an update to Dec 16, 2009 release of a native PPC Modula-2 compiler for
Amiga
OS4. AgletM2PPC v3.1 beta implements much of the ISO Modula-2 base standard.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------
  I make no representations about the suitability of this software
  for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------

This is copyrighted freeware being distributed "as-is".  I hope it can be useful
for anyone interested in developing new generation Amiga software with a
Wirthian language.

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  release Feb 28, 2010 changes from previous release Dec 16, 2009
          
  Compiler     - v3.1 Beta1 (22.2.2009)
               - code generation Bugfixes
               - Default instruction buffer size increased.

  M2IDE        - new CLI startup switch, "-Editor".
               - windows are less intrusive.
               - works better with GoldEd v8.

  System Mods  - The default IO window opened when a program is
                 started from Workbench works better.

  Experimental - New module for programatically starting independent 
                 CLI processes, OsRun.

  TestManager  - Created a q+d program to manager automated runs
                 of the tgM2 test generator program.
                 A dozen or so tgM2 driver files put together to create the
beginning of an
                 effective compiler regression testing suite.
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Even though this is a Beta release, I believe the package is in a fairly
usable condition. I have successfully built a number of non-trivial programs
with it:

 > The pre-Linker used for building programs
 > The M2IDE development environment that comes with it
 > IDLTm2, an IDLTool analogue for producing Interface DEFINITION modules
 > A test generator program, tgM2, for Modula-2
 > The GuideMaker program on OS4Depot
 > The LoggerWindow program on OS4Depot
 > The compiler compiles itself.

It goes without saying the compiler is not competitive with GCC for PPC code
optimization, but it does a good job of creating correct machine code for a
correct Modula-2 program.

Modula-2 is certainly a relatively "obscure" (at least in the U.S)
language, but far from a dead one. A number of compilers are available without
cost for different platforms. There is an ISO standard and most newer compilers,
including AgletM2PPC, cleave closely enough to the standard to achieve good
portability.

It does offer some things you don't get with GNU C:

A better approach to building modular software - You don't have to spend 50% of
your development time figuring out why your "make" file does not work.     :)

A cleaner, simpler language than C, offering a better type system, more rational
array handling, much better design for modular programming supporting Abstract
Data Types and much greater opportunity to change module implementations without
propagating complexity and uncertainty.

Included Amiga oriented support modules designed to enable you to effectively
start using Intuition, Reaction, etc, without having to become an expert in all
the details - Direct calls to all Amiga Libraries are available, but
intermediate modules from Aglet like "SimpleGUI", "SimpleRequesters",
"SimpleImageHander", "SimpleRexx", and "AmigaTimer" expose a straightforward
interface to common needs.

If you have GoldEd (and the Cubic package), do visit OS4 Depot and download
Frank Ruthe's materials for a very nice extended integration of M2 into GoldEd
8. Filed as "development/ide/agletm2cubic.lha" It includes a very detailed
description of how to setup the various features of GoldEd for this purpose, and
also some M2 icons that are nicer that the ones I've been using.
URL: http://os4depot.net/share/development/ide/agletm2cubic_lha.readme