Re: [open-cobol-list] My getting started document

[Bill Klein]

David, (et al)
 The latest version of my document (dated March 2, 2009) and not yet
generally posted includes the following paragraph - that I *think* addresses
your issue:

"NOTE: Within the OpenCOBOL forum, there are a number of threads concerning
installing OpenCOBOL as "native" in Windows.  They seem to report varying
degrees of success (and ease of installation). This document does NOT
address that approach.  Although it may (eventually) be the best way to go
for existing Windows-only users, it seems to me that most of the help and
information for OpenCOBOL assumes a Linux or UNIX environment.  This
document gets you going in such an environment (Cygwin) and I recommend it
for the "new" OpenCOBOL user.  However, as usual "your mileage may vary"! If
you want to go with a native Windows OpenCOBOL environment, check out the
OpenCOBOL forum for hints and tips on installation and use."

Certainly, if someone has the "energy" (and endurance" to provide comparable
information for the other approaches, I would be happy to reference such.
However, given the number of problems I experienced trying to do the
"official" way, I think that I would NOT suggest a "newbie" try an
unofficial way.  As noted in the document, I also don't address any of the
"real user" (after initial getting started) issues such as configuring for
MF or IBM conversions or tuning for production work.

I may get around to doing some of this (eventually).  These certainly ARE
real topics of interest. However, they are simply beyond my initial
document.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Essex [mailto:address@hidden 
> Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 8:37 PM
> To: open-cobol-list
> Subject: Re: [open-cobol-list] My getting started document
> 
> In order to make OC more portable, the original developers choose to 
> generate C code (originally generated GNU assembler) and UN*X (POSIX 
> like) as their development platform.
> 
> In theory any C compiler can be used to create a binary, as 
> long as the 
> run-time support libraries are available for that C compiler.
> 
> Your article presents a Cygw*n centric view and leads to the 
> perception 
> that the a POSIX UN*X like emulator is a requirement for OC.
> 
> While the only officially supported Wind*ws port is via Cygw*n,
> unofficially there are at least two native Wind*ws ports available.
> One uses MinGW (Minimalist GNU For Wind*ws) and the other uses MSVC. 
> I've enclosed some resource links[1] to both ports.
> 
> Perhaps a better approach is to provide a general overview,  with 
> requirements and options available. And then present the details in a 
> separate document.
> 
> Anyway, my 2 cents worth.
> If I have stepped on anyones toes, well sorry.
> 
> 
> Bill Klein wrote:
> > Just because I announced the initial drafts in this group, 
> I thought I would
> > point out that "version 1.0" of my Getting Started (for 
> Windows users)
> > document is now available online at:
> > 
> > http://opencobol.add1tocobol.com/oc_gettingstarted_windows.html 
> >     or
> > http://opencobol.add1tocobol.com/OC_GettingStarted_Windows.pdf
> > 
> > If anyone has any comments, suggestions, or corrections, 
> please feel free to
> > send them to me off-list - or on-list if you prefer.
> 
> 
> 1) OpenCobol Wind*ws native ports
> OpenCobol 1.1 VS2005 binaries
> http://www.kiska.net/opencobol/
> http://www.kiska.net/opencobol/1.1/
> 
> Building OpenCOBOL using MinGW HowTo
> http://www.opencobol.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=
> 487&forum=1
> 
> OpenCobol MinGW binaries
> http://opencobol.no-ip.org/download.html
> 
> 
> 
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