#IFDEFs in a multi platform environment

From: JF Mezei (jfmezei.spamnot_at_teksavvy.com)
Date: 09/30/04 

Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:12:17 -0400

Someone on the OSU mailing list reported that by defining __ALPHA to compile
the OSU software on that IA64 thing, the C compiler generated some errors.

This got me to think: With VMS likely to exist on VAX, Alpha, IA64 and AMD64,
would it be better for applications to use __VMS32 and __VMS64 instead of
platform specific names such as __VAX and __ALPHA?

This way, they would be independant from C compiler specific definitions, and
one woudln't actually have to make changes to programs that run on any of the
64 bit platforms VMS may be called to run on.

Deep down kernel stuff can still make use of platform specific ifdefs when
necessary, but normal user mode applications wouldn't need any modifications
and addition of more ifdefs for each platform.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: 500.000 AMD64s shipped...
    ... > is clear that Dell and IBM think there's enough potential in Itanium ... HP has bet its own money and in fact its whole entereprise business on IA64 ... One more reason for HP to choose the winning platform its going to bet its ... or joining forced with Alpha. ...
    (comp.os.vms)
  • Re: HP to dump itanium - bring back alpha?
    ... >Alpha years before IA64 was able to come close to Alpha. ... If IA64 is going to be retired then the sooner it is announced the better. ... The last thing VMS needs is for people to have followed HPs assurances ... platform. ...
    (comp.os.vms)
  • Re: #IFDEFs in a multi platform environment
    ... > the OSU software on that IA64 thing, the C compiler generated some errors. ... > 64 bit platforms VMS may be called to run on. ... > and addition of more ifdefs for each platform. ...
    (comp.os.vms)
  • RE: Cost of used alphas vs 8086+charron
    ... the success of a platform depends on how many units ... should IA64 be end of saled on ... as Alpha, the Alpha market would continue to ... thrive while the IA64 market would wither very fast. ...
    (comp.os.vms)
  • Re: Porting HP C from Alpha to Itanium - __DIVG_C
    ... The philosophy for the builtin functions is that most ... use a different builtin for IA64. ... out any of the Alpha declarations. ... Thanks for verifying that the compiler behavior is intentional. ...
    (comp.os.vms)