Modula-2 Compilers on CP/M

techtinkering.com

30 points·rcarmo··9 comments

A nice journey back to starting programming for me. On my PCW Amstrad computer, I wanted something a bit faster than the Mallard BASIC and Logo that came with it. I tried some Pascal compiler that only compiled to slow interpreted P-code. FTL Modula 2 was much faster and had quite a nice programming environment. I also did some Z80 assembly programming, but that was time consuming for a full program. Later I ported my Modula 2 code a MSDOS compiler when I moved to a 386SX PC.

FWIW Modula-2 is now available for GCC, which means that Modula-2 can compile for every architecture that GCC supports. On Debian derived distros look for gm2-version e.g. gm2-10 gets you GCC 10.x based compiler.

What is the story regarding the integration as part of the front-end collection?

It seemed to have been targeted to GCC 12, then no more updates happened.

I would suggest asking on the mailing list. I don't know much about the process, I'm afraid.

My Linux distro had gm2-10 and I have installed that and have been playing with it.

Sometimes I wish Borland wouldn't have been so successful with TP/Delphi, because a popular Modula-2 might have outlived the company's gruesome death.

TP/Delphi outlived the company's death. Delphi is still available for purchase and FreePascal is an open alternative.

The real problem is lack of mindshare among corporate organizations doing large projects. Without this, it will remain a hobbyist niche.

It's more the other way 'round, as Idera only cares for big corporate customers (cf. Sencha). And FP/Lazarus was a bit late to the party.

Mindshare is easily lost and nigh impossible to regain.

JPI Modula 2 was like TP, if memory from the late 1980s is correct.

Both Pascal and Modula 2 (and Oberon) were designed by the same person.

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