C Language, portable UNIX programs

Hans Erik Martino Hans
#1 / 4

portable UNIX programs

I have often wondered why software packages for Unix, was
distribuated as binary code. Why not distribuate it as
in a machine independant format. It is obvious that no software
company wants their source code accessable for everybody.
But if a standard was made for a sort of machine independent
pseudo assemblercode, which could be compiled on any
UNIX-installation then Unix became the true machine independent
operating system, which was intended in the first place.

Of course there would be a need for a more strict definition of
the Unix operation system, compared to today. But imagine
the advantages. If at the same time Unix became
a smaller system, it would suddenly become very competetive
to DOS/Windows, Machintosch and other microcomputer operating
systems. And perhaps in the end become the one and only OS.

Please comment my idea, thanks.

Trige Parkvej 9, ST 1 |I study Computer Science at the
DK-8380 Trige |Aarhus University, Denmark
Denmark, Europe |"Information wants to be free"
---------------------------------------------------------------

Wed, 10 May 1995 01:47:44 GMT

Marc Rouss
#2 / 4

portable UNIX programs

(Hans Erik Martino Hansen) writes:

Quote:

>I have often wondered why software packages for Unix, was
>distribuated as binary code. Why not distribuate it as
>in a machine independant format. It is obvious that no software
>company wants their source code accessable for everybody.
>But if a standard was made for a sort of machine independent
>pseudo assemblercode, which could be compiled on any
>UNIX-installation then Unix became the true machine independent
>operating system, which was intended in the first place.

Isn't that what COFF is supposed to be about? (I don't know, I'm
asking.)

Quote:

>If at the same time Unix became
>a smaller system, it would suddenly become very competetive
>to DOS/Windows, Machintosch and other microcomputer operating
>systems. And perhaps in the end become the one and only OS.

I have always wondered why people wanted that. When everyone is
doing the same thing, there is little room for innovation. Besides,
"one size fits all" never does.

Marc R. Roussel

P.S.: I have added comp.unix.misc to the Newsgroups line and redirected
all followups there since I fail to see the relevance of this to
the C programming language. If you disagree, you'll have to
hand-edit the Newsgroups line.

Wed, 10 May 1995 02:46:39 GMT

Geir Engebakk
#3 / 4

portable UNIX programs

Quote:

> I have often wondered why software packages for Unix, was
> distribuated as binary code. Why not distribuate it as
> in a machine independant format. It is obvious that no software
> systems. And perhaps in the end become the one and only OS.

> Please comment my idea, thanks.

> Trige Parkvej 9, ST 1 |I study Computer Science at the
> DK-8380 Trige |Aarhus University, Denmark
> Denmark, Europe |"Information wants to be free"
> ---------------------------------------------------------------

I think your idea has reached some one allready, its called
ANDF (Architectur Neutral Distribution Format).

Geir

Wed, 10 May 1995 00:23:22 GMT

Marc Rouss
#4 / 4

portable UNIX programs

(Hans Erik Martino Hansen) writes:

Quote:

>I have often wondered why software packages for Unix, was
>distribuated as binary code. Why not distribuate it as
>in a machine independant format. It is obvious that no software
>company wants their source code accessable for everybody.
>But if a standard was made for a sort of machine independent
>pseudo assemblercode, which could be compiled on any
>UNIX-installation then Unix became the true machine independent
>operating system, which was intended in the first place.

Isn't that what COFF is supposed to be about? (I don't know, I'm
asking.)

Quote:

>If at the same time Unix became
>a smaller system, it would suddenly become very competetive
>to DOS/Windows, Machintosch and other microcomputer operating
>systems. And perhaps in the end become the one and only OS.

I have always wondered why people wanted that. When everyone is
doing the same thing, there is little room for innovation. Besides,
"one size fits all" never does.

Marc R. Roussel

P.S.: I have added comp.unix.misc to the Newsgroups line and redirected
all followups there since I fail to see the relevance of this to
the C programming language. If you disagree, you'll have to
hand-edit the Newsgroups line.

* Origin: The End Of the Galaxy BBS - Milwaukee , WI (1:154/42.0)

Wed, 10 May 1995 02:46:39 GMT