Via:            UK.AC.ED.DCS;  1 SEP 92 11:08:04 BST
X-Mailer:       Ream v5.1.22a  (The Choice for a New Generation)
X-Organisation: Computer Science, Edinburgh University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.simula
Date:         Tue, 1 Sep 1992 11:06:27 BST
From:         Rob Pooley <rjp@DCS.ED.AC.UK>
Subject:      Re: problems with simula under DOS
Comments: To: R.Kerr@ncl.ac.uk,
              Meinolf Asshoff <mas@informatik.uni-kiel.dbp.de>

> Hello everybody,
> does anyone work with SIMULA on PCs under DOS (or Windows) ?
> We just got a version from Simula a.s. in Oslo, Norway,
> distributed by SIMULA-Team in Dortmund, Germany. Its a mess,
> it doesn't work with the simplest examples. The test programm runs,
> but when we insert something simple or delete for instance one of 3
> instructions of the same kind the computer breaks down. Sometimes
> renaming of a file removes the problems ...
>
> - Have you made your own experiences with this version ore are there
>   other implementations of Simula for DOS ?

Can you please be more specific. This sort of report causes endless
misunderstandings.

First, which version of the system are you running? I am
currently happily developing graphical front-end software for DEMOS on version
109.2 and have no problems.

Have you checked with Dortmund if they have correctly sent the system?

Are you using any libraries which could cause your programs to behave oddly?

If you want to try them, I can send you a copy of my current version of the
front end (about 300 lines long). It uses class Drawing as distributed on the
release disc from Simula as.

Maybe you could send me your program be e-mail and I could try it here.

If anyone else on the mailing list wants a copy of the input side of the
front-end I am building, let me know.

> - Or do you know Simula classes for graphical presentation under VMS
>   that we might use on our microVax ?
>

The X-windows interface from SIMULA, called Graphics 0.0, was presented at the
Pilsen SIMULA Users Conference. If you are using DEC Windows, it should work,
I guess. I have only used it on SUNs to date. It is a simple object oriented,
windows and graphics package. We have developed a simple class browser using
it to scan .atr files. Also the same sort of DEMOS generating front end as for
DOS is under development.

Graphics 0.0 is available for free, with no guarantees! We only ask that you
let us know how you have got on with it and that you send back to us any
enhancements. It should be available on Lund's future release tapes along with
the class browser.

Same offer applies to anyone on the receiving end of this message.

> Please let me know, we are in trouble.
>

I am always happy to try to help anyone with problems with SIMULA. My company,
EASE, is trying to get SIMULA on a respectable footing for real use and
Edinburgh University is a keen user, where we try out ideas.

Let me repeat that all commercially sold systems for SIMULA are currently
quite stable and usable, so far as I am aware. If you have problems get in
touch with the suppliers or with me, rather than broadcasting to the net. Past
poor quality versions have done enough damage to the language's repputation
without making things worse.

To support these statements, I personally use Lund's SUN3 and SUN 4 systems,
Simula as's DOS system and EASE's VAX/VMS system and, while there are always
minor errors and problems with any compiler for any language, they are all
perfectly usable.

Rob Pooley,

Edinburgh University, Dept of Computer Science and
EASE Ltd, 24 Clifford Road (No 5), Norht Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 4PP,
Scotland

> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>    Meinolf Asshoff                   mas@informatik.uni-kiel.dbp.de
>    Ecosystem Research Center         NOE48@rz.uni-kiel.dbp.de
>    University of Kiel                Meinolf@pz-oekosys.uni-kiel.dbp.de
>    Schauenburgerstr. 112
>    D-W-2300 Kiel 1                     < models are substitites for
>    Germany                               rational thoughts > (Park)
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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