From: gsk@world.std.com (Geoffrey S Knauth)
Subject: GNU Objective-C projects
Keywords: help, objective-c, objects
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 15:56:02 GMT

Max Leung writes:
> These files do not come with the GCC compiler! GCC has no Object class!

The GNU Objective-C project team is working on a runtime system, easy
access to C++ from Objective-C, a class library, and a graphical
interface builder.

If you would like to help any of these project, here are the managers:

	RUNTIME
	  athan@object.com (Andrew C. Athan)

	COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN OBJECTIVE-C AND C++
	  jjobe@mrj.com (Jason Jobe)

	OBJECT MAP
	  MKK2@psuvm.psu.edu (Lee Douglas Sailer)

	A GRAPHICAL OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING TOOL
	  liberte@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Daniel LaLiberte)

There is a GNU Objective-C mailing list.  The address is:

  gnu-objc@prep.ai.mit.edu		for messages everyone will see

  gnu-objc-request@prep.ai.mit.edu	{,un}subscribing, address corrections

Geoffrey
---
Geoffrey S. Knauth <gsk@gnu.ai.mit.edu> <gsk@marble.com>
GNU Objective-C Administrator

The following information repeats previous statements about project
goals.

[adapted from 16 Sep 92 message]

OBJECT MAP

Many people are wondering exactly what objects should go into an
Objective-C library.  If you have instinctive "object-feeling" from
exposure to languages such as Smalltalk, Objective-C, CLOS, or C++,
this group needs you.

RUNTIME SYSTEM

Dennis Glatting <dglattin@trirex.com> has already donated this to the
project, and it is undergoing stylistic edits.  Releasing a version,
even an early version, of this run-time has high priority.  If you
would like a preliminary version of this runtime for evaluation and
development, contact gnu-objc-request@prep.ai.mit.edu, and state
whether you'd prefer NeXTmail or a uuencoded .tar.Z file.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN OBJECTIVE-C AND C++

Make the Objective-C library and libg++ can help each other;
investigate language enhancements to make this easy.  NeXT is helping
us in this area.

INTERFACES TO X

X, as free software, is GNU's windowing system.  It will require study
to ensure that existing work is not overlooked.  This project includes
investigating the free software environment called Interviews.  If
you've known X for a few years and you like it, this group is for you.

A GRAPHICAL OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING TOOL

Those familiar with the NeXT computer would call it a kind of
Interface Builder (IB) that will run on any GNU system, and that lacks
the flaws of other interface builders.  This tool will produce
stereotype code that does not need to be edited by the user, and which
can be read back into the tool.  The tool will allow interfaces under
construction to be tested with real objects.  This does not have high
priority, because it is so big, but it may be an interesting project
for someone.  If you speak French and Jean-Marie Hullot (author of IB)
is your hero, soyez bienvenu[e].

[adapted from 11 Sep 92 message]

The GNU Objective-C Project's initial goals are:

- to provide Objective-C tools as free software, under GNU Copyleft,
  with the relaxed restrictions of the libg++ license.

- machine independence: the tools will run on any GNU system.
  It is very important that people keep this in mind.
- a runtimesystem.  [see above]
- communications between Objective-C and C++ objects.  [see above]
- support for X, which, as free software, is GNU's windowing system;
  This is a huge issue with moderately strong interest.  It will
  require study to ensure that existing work is not overlooked.
- education: We encourage people to submit papers that
  advance the public's understanding of Objective-C techniques or
  lead to better object organization.
- a graphical object-oriented programming tool.  [see above]

We acknowledge the boost that NeXT Computer, Inc., has given to the
Objective-C programming language, and to the popularization of
object-oriented programming.  However, please note the following
qualification:

"The aim of this project is to produce a useful addition to the GNU
operating system, of which GCC is part.  This means we are only
interested in packages that could run on a GNU system--and thus, not
in packages that depend on NeXTstep, as we cannot expect to have
anything compatible with NeXTstep available.  Supporting extensions to
a proprietary window system is not part of the GNU mission and would
be a diversion of effort."
			--from Richard M. Stallman, FSF Founder

Geoffrey Knauth is the FSF Objective-C general administrator.  This is
a volunteer position, and nearly all contributors to this project are
also volunteers.  The administrator's duties are to provide direction,
collect software, provide for quality control, obtain releases and
certifications of authenticity from authors, submit releases to the
FSF, and ensure community access, support and recognition.  When
subprojects grow too heavy, it is the duty of the administrator to
delegate responsibility for them to willing persons or organizations
demonstrating community-minded spirit and talent.

[Addendum: This project now has four volunteer project managers.
There names are at the top of this message.  Please contact them if
you are willing to help!  Thanks.  10/5/92]

-- 
Geoffrey S. Knauth, Marble Associates, Inc.                Member BCS-NeXT, LPF
gsk@marble.com, (617) 891-5555 work, (617) 547-5247 home   Standard Disclaimers
Newsgroups: comp.lang.objective-c