Re: PC-Based Ada Dev Environment for Embedded 80186

[John Howard <jhoward@sky.net>]

On Thu, 12 Sep 1996, Alex P. Madarasz, Jr. wrote:
> Any recommendations / pointers for tools to set up a PC-based Ada-83
> development environment for embedded 80186 processors?
>
> We're looking at modifying some existing code which is currently
> cross-compiled on a VAX under VMS, and I'm looking for possible
> alternatives.

You mainly need to find an Ada 83 compiler for DOS real mode.  I'd 
recommend you use a powerful PC host operating system and a DOS-based
compiler that generates 16-bit data bus, non-priviledge mode code.  You'll 
probably want assembler output for possible tweaking and verification.  
And you'll likely choose the tiny memory model so you can manage a simple 
format COM image file size within 64KB.  FWIW, Borland Turbo Assembler 
(TASM) v3.2 and Microsoft Assembler (MASM) v5.0 support CPU specific 
directives for the 80186.

For a powerful PC host I use 32-bit OS/2.  16-bit OS/2 v1.3 was designed 
for reliable multitasking with a 80286 PC circa 1990.  OS/2 v1.3 is 
commonly embedded in kiosks for automatic teller machines.  I've been
using OS/2 v3.0 "Warp" on a 80486 since October 1994.  I have used it to 
host development of Windows v3.1 applications, DOS Protected Mode 
Interface (DPMI) and DOS real mode applications (mostly using Borland
Pascal commandline compilers).  I now use GNAT Ada 95 for some DPMI and
all OS/2 programming.

OS/2 v4.0 "Merlin" will be released this month.  Merlin is an improvement
on reliable 32-bit OS/2 Warp.  Merlin provides Voice Type Dictation on a
Pentium 90 Mhz or higher.  OS/2 Warp and Merlin provide truly useful 
object-oriented interfaces.  Plus OS/2 is more reliable than Microsoft
Windows resulting in fewer general protection faults (GPF) for Windows
programs running within OS/2.

A benefit of using OS/2 as the host environment while developing software
is the flexibility to target backward-compatible versions of DOS, OS/2, or
Windows.  OS/2 enables you to integrate software from the widest selection
of PC-based applications.  That capability is what you are going to need
if you want a flexible development environment which can combine the old
with the new.

-- John Howard <jhoward@sky.net>               -- Team Ada  Team OS/2 --