Re: Gnat cross-compiler for m68k, PowerPc

["Pat Rogers" <progers@classwide.com>]

"David Brown" <david@no.westcontrol.spam.com> wrote in message
news:akkoav$rvv$1@news.netpower.no...
> I've been looking at Ada as an alternative language (to C/C++) for
embedded
> systems programming.

Potentially a very wise move. From both a technical and an economic
point of view that could make a lot of sense.

> <snip> but before I delve too deeply into learning it, I
> hope someone can tell me if I'm going in the right direction.  Both
these
> chips have gcc ports, so am I right in thinking that it's just a
matter of
> the ada libraries, since gnat uses a target-independant front-end
tied to
> the gcc back-end ?  I'd be grateful for some pointers as to where to
get
> started on the tools -

It isn't as simple as that, but close.  You definitely should contact
the makers of GNAT to set up a free evaluation agreement. The whole
purpose of such an agreement is to answer just these kinds of
questions.  The address should be sales@gnat.com

> I'm not expecting to use any OS on the systems -although it might be
interesting
> to try RTEMS, I'd also like to be able to build Ada programs that
are not
> dependant on any OS.

If it is the case that you do not require the "extras" that an RTOS
would provide (which is perfectly reasonable), you will not have to
write code that is dependent on an RTOS if one is used.  That's one of
the great things about Ada -- the language has the required
functionality built into the standard.

Hope this helps,


--
Patrick Rogers                       Consulting and Training in:
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