From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.5-pre1 (2020-06-20) on ip-172-31-74-118.ec2.internal X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.0 required=3.0 tests=BAYES_20 autolearn=ham autolearn_force=no version=3.4.5-pre1 Date: Tue, 10 Sep 91 08:27:00 CST From: Brown_John@lanmail.ncsc.navy.mil Subject: Re: Meridian Ada Compiler Evaluation Message-ID: <9109101316.AA04145@lanmail.NCSC.NAVY.MIL> List-Id: Mark Hutchison [CSC] writes: >I'm taking an Ada class at the local university. They point you at >the Meridian Ada compiler for an IBM PC for $91. > >Is it worth it? > >Hutch Several of us at work took an Ada class last spring using Meridian's new Ada compiler (v4.1). The $150 version (that's what we paid) is a good choice for an Ada class if you plan to do your work on a PC and don't have access to (or can't afford) a "full-blown" environment. The Meridian compiler is a full Ada implementation. What you don't get for $150 is protected/extended memory support (for compilations, as well as for applications) and multi-user/network support. You will be able to develop small programs for class assignments with no problem. However, as your application becomes larger, you have to use a "batch" compilation mode which conserves memory and is a little slower. The problem with this is that you can't use the make facility with the "batch" mode and have to re-compile manually. Also, don't count on the debugger for too much help. The documentation is good, and includes an LRM. It also has an editor with the LRM on-line; however, I didn't use this feature. As for the compiler itself, it supported everything we did in the class, including tasking, interrupt handlers for I/O and for DOS services, and generics. All in all, it met our needs for the class and was a buy at $150. (I don't know what the current price is.) J. Brown jbrown@lanmail.ncsc.navy.mil -- Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are my own. -- "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."