The following press release has just been received from RISCOS Ltd.:
RISC OS 32-bit software forward compatibility releaseRISCOS Ltd and Pace Micro Technology plc have today released a beta version of the components required for users of the Acorn C/C++ development environment to produce RISC OS programs that will be compatible with future 32-bit only versions of RISC OS.
The beta software is freely available from the RISCOS Ltd Website at http://www.riscos.com/download/
Before downloading the components users must agree to the terms of a Software License Agreement and provide full details of the machine on which they intend to run the software.
Included in the package are:-
Shared C Library 5.17 3 Oct 2000
CallASWI 0.02 2 Oct 2000
FPEmulator 4.14 2 Oct 2000
Note: The FPPC hardware floating point system is no longer supported. New Libraries for C/C++ - c++lib, ANSIlib, flexlib etc
Documentation
Two documents are included with the package.
32bitIntro
This gives an overview for Developers producing standard Desktop applications written in C or BASIC and for users of the Acorn C/C++ development environment. It will help them produce RISC OS programs that will be compatible with future 32-bit only versions of RISC OS.
32bitTech
This document summarises information on the changes to the RISC OS binary interfaces between 26 and 32-bit versions of RISC OS. It should provide a basis for developers to ensure that their software is compatible with future systems. N.B A lot of the information in this document is at a much lower level than the majority of software developers require.
All software and documentation is © 2000 Pace Micro Technology plc.
Although we're not in the habit of reproducing press releases verbatim on TIB, this one seemed important enough to warrant the full data blast. Obviously this does not give us 32bit compatibility right now, but is a very important first step in getting software updated to work with the new version of the OS whenever it's available - there'd be no point in releasing a 32bit RISC OS if nothing can run on it!
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32bit RISC OS - the beginning? |
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(14:08 21/11/2000)
Jaglo Jalo (16:30 21/11/2000)
beebware (16:54 21/11/2000)
Lee Johnston (17:26 21/11/2000)
Malcolm Ripley (18:55 21/11/2000)
Annraoi (19:57 21/11/2000)
Robert (23:42 21/11/2000)
Richard Goodwin (11:51 22/11/2000)
Gunnlaugur Jonsson (10:30 23/11/2000)
Peter (21:10 23/11/2000)
Lee Johnston (09:39 24/11/2000)
Richard Goodwin (17:27 24/11/2000)
Lee Johnston (19:14 24/11/2000)
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Richard Goodwin |
Message #88168, posted at 14:08, 21/11/2000 |
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Anyone want to read anything into the fact that the software as well as the docs are Pace's, not ROLs?
:) |
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Jaglo Jalo |
Message #88169, posted at 16:30, 21/11/2000, in reply to message #88168 |
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You could read into it that if you breach the agreement you'll be jumped on by Pace lawyers, rather than by ROL lawyers.
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beebware |
Message #88170, posted at 16:54, 21/11/2000, in reply to message #88169 |
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Pace owns the overall (c) and trademark of RISC OS don't they? Plus I'd guess they've got more lawyers :) |
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Lee Johnston |
Message #88171, posted at 17:26, 21/11/2000, in reply to message #88170 |
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Frankly I think the fact that the stuff is copyrighted to Pace is both unsurprising and irrelevant - we've known who is doing the real development work for a long time.
However I think this is a very good sign for several reasons. Firstly it means that, even if it's through RISC OS Ltd, Pace are willing to support RISC OS developers. Secondly it means that, in some capacity at least, RISC OS Ltd are still with us. Thirdly the fact that it's freely available (as only available through one of the farcical developer schemes) suggests updated development tools might become available to everyone.
Now all I need is a permanent phone number...
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Malcolm Ripley |
Message #88172, posted at 18:55, 21/11/2000, in reply to message #88171 |
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Pace owns RISC OS, we all know that it is no suprise.....although sometimes I get the distinct impression that some people don't know this.
RISCOS Ltd licences RISC OS from Pace and adds bits and pieces necessary for desktops that Pace have no interest in. RISCOS Ltd also distributes desktop related RISC OS software, tools etc etc.
I see no problem in this. It seems like an extraordinarily sensible agreement.
regards,
Malcolm (who's getting tired of folks constantly trying to find the slightest excuse for negative comments) |
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Annraoi |
Message #88173, posted at 19:57, 21/11/2000, in reply to message #88172 |
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All in all it augers well for the future, so to those who said there would never be a 32 bit RISC OS let's just say we told you so ! |
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Robert |
Message #88174, posted at 23:42, 21/11/2000, in reply to message #88173 |
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This is excellent news. We've known that 32 bit was on its way but now it's been proved and:
RISC OS is being developed and made available for desktop and embedded applications by a large, succesful, growing corporation. I dare say Pace are devoting more resources than RISC OS has ever had thrown at it before.
I've said it before, but the naysayers are wrong. They can bleat all they like but it's plain to see now that this platform is going places! |
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Richard Goodwin |
Message #88175, posted at 11:51, 22/11/2000, in reply to message #88174 |
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Negative comments? Who's been making negative coments on this list? |
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Gunnlaugur Jonsson |
Message #88176, posted at 10:30, 23/11/2000, in reply to message #88175 |
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At this time, could we possibly get much better news on RISC OS? (Other than Microsoft and Intel going bankrupt forcing people to look at different platforms :-)). This establishes 32 bit RISC OS and shows that a development tool will be available at release time or shortly after!
Now all we need to know is what chip Pace intends to follow and the future is clear!
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Peter |
Message #88177, posted at 21:10, 23/11/2000, in reply to message #88176 |
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You might be interested in a comment from Icon Technology on the easiwriter list.
He said they have a 32bit version complied and running. Good news isn't it.
Peter |
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Lee Johnston |
Message #88178, posted at 09:39, 24/11/2000, in reply to message #88177 |
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It's nice that Icon Technology have a 32bit version of the Easiwriter family running but hardly surprising as it's written in C++ using their own in house compiler. If any company was ready for the transition it was them 8)
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Richard Goodwin |
Message #88179, posted at 17:27, 24/11/2000, in reply to message #88178 |
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Maybe it'd be worth them licensing out that compiler then...? |
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Lee Johnston |
Message #88180, posted at 19:14, 24/11/2000, in reply to message #88179 |
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I believe it has already been suggested to them but rejected because they couldn't support it.
Judging from some postings in comp.sys.acorn.programmer today though Pace will be releasing a full upgrade to the current Norcroft development tools. Obviously there is no mention of price or whether this include a decent C++ compiler but if they do this is will prove they're definitely not ignoring the desktop market. From some of the comments from Kevin? Bracey (one of their engineers) I get the feeling that Pace do in fact see the market as a good place to beta test tools, libraries and such like.
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