Kirk Wolf writes: >[Other excellent points omitted.] >But at this point, I think that building a bootstrap GNU >toolchain on top of the IBM z/OS C/C++ compiler is >the best way to go.
I agree, Kirk. That'll support 64-bit code, for one big thing. For reference, I think IBM's compiler is around $10 or $12 per month on a 3 MSU standard commercially licensed zNALC LPAR, assuming you meet the terms and conditions. Speaking of which, there's another idea that I think appeared here in some form (remote COBOL compiles maybe) which I'll repeat more directly. If you look at several open source community projects they have shared build and/or test servers. The Mozilla Foundation's servers are called "Tinderboxes," for example. See here for more information: http://www.mozilla.org/tinderbox.html So if the goal is to generate z/OS binaries more easily and inexpensively, why not have a shared z/OS "Tinderbox" LPAR, with a (probably secured) Web-accessible compiler engine? Submit your compile job, get back the binary (and error/warning messages). If you want to get a little sophisticated, WLM service classing could allow BT/Is free, "as soon as the system gets around to it" compiles alongside paying users demanding higher service levels. The Web interface might also provide information on how quickly recent compile jobs completed. Such a service would obviously require a consortium or generous benefactor of some kind, but it wouldn't be huge. Bonus points if it's a couple or three different benefactors with a couple or three geographically scattered LPARs. And actually the good people at Dignus have already done something very much like this, albeit for different purposes. See here: http://dignus.com/testdrive.shtml Remote compiles would be the first step. The Mozilla Tinderboxes do extensive testing, and you can look at test reports on the Web. That may be more complicated in this situation. But if you can bootstrap the GNU toolchain, there's a lot of interesting stuff you can produce just with remote compilation service. In case anyone is worried about the financial health of the compiler vendors should such a service appear, I seriously doubt there'd be a problem. For one thing, if you want the compile done NOW, this isn't your service. Also, I don't know very many companies or governments that would want their private source code uploaded to a public Web site. But for things like open source community development (e.g. GNU toolchain initial build and ongoing updates) on a non time-sensitive basis, it'd be interesting. It wouldn't necessarily be limited to C and C++. Assembler is a given, but there could also be Enterprise COBOL, Enterprise PL/I, compiled REXX, VS/FORTRAN, etc. Don't need Java. (You can compile Java anywhere already.) Thinking out loud here. Maybe that's dangerous, but what the heck. - - - - - Timothy Sipples IBM Consulting Enterprise Software Architect Specializing in Software Architectures Related to System z Based in Tokyo, Serving IBM Japan and IBM Asia-Pacific E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
