Here is my answer to the questionnaire on C++ compiler requirements.
We are involved in developing a tool - which will be a commercial
product - which uses Allbase/SQL (and IMAGE/SQL, which is essentially
the same thing if you are using SQL to do the accessing) and outputs
to ordinary flat files. Access to HP Intrinsics is therefore
essential.
 
***   C++ on MPE/iX:   Requirements and Options   ***
 
1)   If a compiler existed which handled only Unix-like
constructs (at least initially) were supported, would
you use it ?
* NO *
 
2)   If an MPE C++ compiler were enhanced after the
initial port, what capabilities would it need:  indicate
"don't care", "useful", or "must have" for each ?
        Intrinsic support:                      * MUST HAVE *
        Access to IMAGE:                        * DON'T CARE *
        Access to KSAM:                         * DON'T CARE *
        Long pointer support:                   * MUST HAVE *
        Ability to run in MPE Name Space:       * MUST HAVE *
        Use default MPE naming conventions:     * MUST HAVE *
        Other > ABILITY TO USE XL'S
 
3)   Would you trust a third-party compiler that was
supported by HP ?
YES - And would prefer to have the source code, since we are already
using the GNU compiler on other Unix systems. Also, would require it
to be well-documented.
 
4)   What would you be willing to pay HP for annual
support of C++ on MPE/iX ?
A reasonable fee along the same lines as what we already pay for
Pascal or Cobol for example.
 
5)   If the cost of acquisition of the compiler were
minimal or non-existent, would you be willing to pay
higher support fees over a guaranteed term ?
Depends on the cost.
 
6)   Additional comments/remarks/concerns on this
subject:
I agree wholeheartedly with the various comments on the desirability
of HP providing this rather than a 3rd-party. If HP is serious about
Posix and the "openness" of MPE, then I would think that a C++
compiler will be as essential as a C compiler. However, if HP are not
going to do the work themselves, then the next best option would be
for a 3rd party to provide support for a recognised industry standard
like GNU. If HP can then provide support for that, then so much the
better.
 
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Martin Knapp
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