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Old C Compiler Lives Again Under GPL

Posted by timothy on from the just-what-I-was-looking-for dept.

JordanH writes "The DeSmet-C compiler, a commercial C compiler from the '80s, is being released under the GPL. Yet another alternative C compiler implementation available for your coding pleasure."

7 of 46 comments (clear)

  1. C'mon by lbmouse · · Score: 5, Funny

    How is something from the 80's considered OLD?! It's not even vintage yet. I have underwear from the 80's that are just fine.

    1. Re:C'mon by Gherald · · Score: 3, Funny

      > How is something from the 80's considered OLD?! It's not even vintage yet. I have underwear from the 80's that are just fine.

      Perhaps the computer world moves faster than your ass?

      Just a thought :)

      --
      The unofficial /. digest
    2. Re:C'mon by ctr2sprt · · Score: 4, Funny
      I have underwear from the 80's that are just fine.
      Only on Slashdot would this be modded "Interesting."
  2. Shareware Catalogs by vasqzr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I remember seeing this in shareware catalogs. Didn't it generate assembler code, and you had to have MASM to build your program?

    Anyone remember MIX C? They used to have the full-page ads in Computer Shopper, you got the compiler, book, and everything for $59.95.

    I never got to use either of them, I was lucky enough to get a copy of Borland Turbo C.

    1. Re:Shareware Catalogs by rot26 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      IIRC, the DeSmet compiler was the cheapest "real" compiler you could get in the early 80's. Mix was more like a toy. Support was excellent... I called them once to ask a stupid question, and they said "We don't know, why don't you call Mark?" and then they gave me his home phone number, and I promptly woke him up. FWIW, I believe that Mark DeSmet wrote the macro assembler that Intel used internally as well.

      --



      To ensure perfect aim, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target
  3. Not for serious use by Nasarius · · Score: 3, Insightful
    From the article:
    I started feeling the usual insane urge to play with a C compiler source.

    It seems it's more for people who just want to poke at the source of a real compiler, without having to deal with the mind-boggling complexities of GCC. I might take a look myself.

    --
    LOAD "SIG",8,1
  4. Addendum by JordanH · · Score: 3, Insightful
    I was in a hurry when I submitted this story.

    I should have added that I saw this on the excellent PLNews: Programming Language News site.