Re: What is the best source of GNAT for Win32?

[Martin Krischik <martin@krischik.com>]

Robert C. Leif wrote:

>    Since GNAT has become the dominant Ada compiler and AdaCore does not
> appear to be providing binary distributions, a new source for a binary
> distribution including a simple install needs to be created. 

Good idea. Compiling Windows versions arn't that easy.

> One other 
> possibility would be to provide a binary distribution of A# that was
> independent of GNAT.

>    This distribution of an Ada compiler should include a development
> environment.  This could be a functioning version of the AdaCore's GPS or
> integration with Microsoft's Visual Studio.

GPS is probably better.

> Does the available public 
> version of GPS have a functioning pretty printer? 

No, Pretty Printer is a part of the ASIS tools (GNAT ASIS contains not only
the ASIS lib itself but also some tools) and there is no cvs for ASIS yet.
So unless you know a supported customer who is willing to copy it, it's bad
look.

> In order to serve as 
> the basis of an Ada environment, AdaGide needs a browse or point and click
> means for inclusion of the paths to packages.

>    It would be appropriate to charge a reasonable fee for providing a
>    binary
> distribution of a complete development environment that includes a
> complete Ada compiler.

--enable-languages=c,ada

and

--enable-languages=c,ada,c++,f77,java,objc

is not that much difference. And GPS supports C and C++ as well. No reason
to restrict yourself to Ada only.

> A reasonable range for this fee would be 25 to 100 
> dollars.

For the complete tool chain, yes. I always thougt about that - especialy for
windows where the compile is very tricky.

If you inedeed plan that: why not thow in a Linux distribution as well. Much
easier to compile and extends the list of pontential customers
significantly.

I for one would be very interested at a symetric Windows/Linux GCC tool
chain.

With Regards

Martin
-- 
mailto://krischik@users.sourceforge.net
http://www.ada.krischik.com