> -----Original Message-----
> From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of john gilmore
> Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2006 8:10 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: assembler question (strong typing)
>
> Clark Morris writes of the HLASM:
>
> >
> >It may be low level, but does it also have to be brain-dead?
> >
>
> Characterizing the HLASM as brain-dead because it does not do strong
> typing
> gives polemical expression to one point view. Other, different views are
> possible; they are indeed entertained by experienced people.
>
> I, for one, loathe strong typing. In my own code I do data-type punning
> routinely, and I should not wish to see the HLASM converted into as C-
> lilke
> language that made this gratuitously difficult.
>
> The whole question whether the HLASM or any assembly language is now a
> suitable vehicle for use by novices is, I think, an open one. Let them
> write C or Pascal! Devoting any of the very limited resources available
> for
> maintaining and enhancing the HLASM to childproofing it would come far
> down
> on my personal wish list for it.
>
> John Gilmore
Greetings,
Systems/C by www.dignus.com generates HLASM output, which is subsequently
processed with an HLASM-compatible assembler. At any point, the C source
code can "drop down" to assembler using the __asm {} block. There are other
features for controlling register usage, using 64-bit addresses and
ALET-qualified pointers, reentrant and non-reentrant. Systems/C programs can
be designed to run in task mode, SRB mode, cross memory code.
Such a compiler is a very educational tool for showing C programmers how
the C language idioms are translated directly into assembler source code.
The shortage of good assembler programmers can be mitigated by hiring good
C programmers and using Systems/C as a development and educational tool. As
the C programmers become educated in mainframe assembler by looking at the
generated assembler, they can write assembler-only subroutines and easily
call those routines directly from their Systems/C programs. It's a great way
to "ease into" mainframe assembler programming from a higher level language.
Also, a good set of debugging tools is vital for understanding the
difference between what you thought you wrote compared to what you
actually wrote. Go to www.colesoft.com for state of the art debugging
tools.
2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary.
Jeffrey D. Smith
Principal Product Architect
Farsight Systems Corporation
700 KEN PRATT BLVD. #204-159
LONGMONT, CO 80501-6452
303-774-9381 direct
303-484-6170 FAX
http://www.farsight-systems.com/
comments are invited on my encryption project
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