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From: nather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Postings of microcomputer software
Message-ID: <1006@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Feb-85 11:45:35 EST
Article-I.D.: utastro.1006
Posted: Mon Feb 11 11:45:35 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 03:21:30 EST
References: <165@ur-cvsvax.UUCP> <151@redwood.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U. Texas, Astronomy, Austin, TX
Lines: 35

> +---------------
> | Since compilers for anything other than assembly language tend not to
> | be standardized in the microcomputer world, may I suggest that postings
> | of software written in higher-level languages to net.micro.{whatever}
> | or net.sources include uuencoded copies of the binary files whenever
> | possible? | 		Tony Movshon
> +---------------
> 
> (Was this a joke? I dare not assume so...)
> 
> Since operating system calling conventions and hardware register locations
> are even LESS "standard" than higher-level languages, let's NOT further
> clutter "net.sources" with useless binaries, P L E A S E !?!?! Higher-
> level languages are the MOST likely to be standard, and if portability
> problems arise, it is far FAR easier to tweak a C program for my local
> environment than an 8080 binary!!! (...especially since I use a 68000!)
>
> p.s. Even assembly languages are not standard for the same machine. I know
> of at least three 68000 assembler formats I have had to deal with.
> 
> Rob Warnock
> Systems Architecture Consultant

Good theory -- too bad it's wrong.  I sent Tony Movshon a few C programs that
would compile under DeSmet C AND CI-C86 for the IBM PC, and he had a rough
time getting them to compile, much less work, under Lattice C. I have yet to
get working Lattice C programs he sent me to compile under either compiler I
use.  He had no trouble running the executable code on his DEC Rainbow, and
I ran executables he sent on my IBM PC.  We had the same experience with a 
Z-100 and a TI Professional -- all 8088/8086 machines.  I admit we were 
surprised, but ... well, there it is.
-- 
Ed Nather
Astronony Dept, U of Texas @ Austin
{allegra,ihnp4}!{noao,ut-sally}!utastro!nather