More 100% Ada 95 validations from ACT

[dewar@merv.cs.nyu.edu (Robert Dewar)]

s I am sure some of you have already noticed from the validated compilers
list at the Ada IC, ACT has completed several more validations (we always       
delay announcing these till after the official notices are posted).             
                                                                                
The validations are for the following platforms (see the Ada IC listing for     
an exact designation)                                                    

Mac using Machten
Sparc using SunOS
x86 using Linux
SNI using Sinux
Bare Sparc using GNAT/RTEMS

In accordance with standard ACT validation policy, these are 100% validations,
including the core and all annexes, and passing all tests. The only appeal to
the allowance in the RM for removing tests on the basis of non-support in the
environment is that the Bare Sparc validation omitted IO tests (since there
is no IO on this target).

Of particular interest are

a) The Mac validation. This is the only validated Ada 95 compiler on the Mac,
and represents the first time for a long time that the Mac has been a first
class citizen in the Ada world. GNAT for the Mac is available as part of the
$99 Code Builder product from Tenon (see www.tenon.com for details).

b) SNI/Sinux. This version was created in cooperation with SNI, who jointly
holds the validation certificate. It marks the first time that Sinux, the
largest maufacturer of work stations in Europe, has had a formal product in
the Ada market.

c) x86 using Linux. This for the first time provides an all free software
solution for serious Ada programming, where a validated compiler is required.
We are pleased to note that there has been a significant interest in this
version, not only from unsupported hobbyists, but from supported commercial
customers who recognize the potential value of this system. GNAT in
conjunction with the GNU tool set and the Linux kernel represents a fulfillment
of Richard Stallman's vision of GNU in the Ada world.

d) The Bare SPARC version. This was validated using a simulator that exactly
replicates the functionality of a popular bare Sparc chip that is to be used
in a number of important embedded applications. It represents the first
validation of GNAT using the portable real time kernel technology (RTEMS)
provided by OAR. ACT and OAR are cooperating to provide high quality
embedded solutions that make full use of the GNAT Ada 95 technology.

The official validated versions, together with formal validation materials,
including a copy of the validation certificate, are available for purchase
by fully supported customers. Send email to sales@gnat.com for full details.
The formally validated version will not be available by FTP (since a formal
contractual relationship is required), but a version that is essentially
technically equivalent will be released publicly in the future.

Robert Dewar
Ada Core Technologies

P.S. Watch here (or on the Ada IC list) for more GNAT validation news in
the near future.