Re: GNAT 3.03 for OS/2

[Kees de Lezenne Coulande <100121.1153@COMPUSERVE.COM>]

John Howard <jhoward@SOLAR.SKY.NET> wrote:

>My list is at 39 users who've either contacted me or posted they use GNAT
>for OS/2.  Of course, there are more but I don't know who they are.

     I would like to register my interest in GNAT for OS/2. I am trying to port
some large Ada83 programmes from VAX to PC. Last summer, I tried GNAT 2.06 for
DOS. This gave many problems and never resulted in an executable programme.
Whatever could be pinpointed as compiler problems was submitted to Dewar c.s.
who took care of everything with their usual efficiency. I was also left with
quite a few vague compiler aborts which I could not immediately track down.
     Then there was a lenghty gap while awaiting the release of the next GNAT
version. During this time, I installed OS/2 on my 486 PC and increased memory
from 8 to 20 Mb. In other words, I was trying to follow the recommendations of
Robert Dewar for a stable PC platform (I know he recommends 32 Mb, but on
account of the age of my system I decided to try 20 Mb first, which seems OK).
     When GNAT 3.01 for OS/2 became available in December, I could resume my
efforts with increased enthusiasm. I found this version of GNAT to be a great
improvement, but still not without problems. Although I still needed
work-arounds here and there, I managed to get two programmes up and running on
OS/2. Now I could finally prove what I had been suspecting for some time, namely
that even my venerable PC is comparable in speed to the VAX I was using.
     A third programme is still plagued by compiler problems. These have been
submitted to ACT and they assure me that all but one have been solved on 3.04.
For the one that is left, a work-around is possible. I am therefore anxiously
awaiting the release of 3.04 for OS/2, because if no new problems crop up, I
should finally be able to compile and link all my VAX Ada code (of course the
programme that does not run yet, happens to be the most important of the three).
     Regarding OS/2 itself, I approached it with a bit of trepidation initially.
But it installed without any problems right off the CD-Rom, and I have gradually
learned to like it. I am not a GUI-person, so the fact that one can have
multiple command-line sessions of two different flavours is a big plus. I would
hate to see GNAT for OS/2 dropped, because then I might run out of excuses to
avoid Windows 95. So I hope that Robert Dewar will remain an OS/2 enthusiast for
a long time.
                                   Kees de Lezenne Coulander
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  C.M. de Lezenne Coulander
  Amsterdam-Zuidoost
  The Netherlands                        Tel: +31(20)6909238
  E-mail: 100121.1153@compuserve.com

Formerly with Fokker Aircraft, now looking for a new challenge.
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