AgletM2PPC Release 3.2 Feb 15, 2012

This is an update to then Apr 5, 2011 release of a native PPC
Modula-2 compiler for Amiga OS4. AgletM2PPC v3.2 beta
implements much of the ISO Modula-2 base standard.

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 I make no representations about the suitability of this
 software for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without
 express or implied warranty.
 -----------------------------------------------------------

This is copyrighted freeware being distributed "as-is".
I hope it can be useful for anyone interested in developing
new generation Amiga software with a Wirthian language.

  -----------------------------------------------------------
  release 3.2 Feb 15, 2012
       - Compiler bugfixes and improvements.
       - M2IDE added features and GUI improvements.
       - Updates most Amiga library interfaces to SDK 53.20.
       - Extends Aglet support modules: IconSupport, HashT,
         PipeIO, MachineEnv, ArgsSupport.
  -----------------------------------------------------------

Even though this is still a Beta release, the package is in
a usable condition. I have successfully built a number of
non-trivial programs with it:

 > The pre-Linker used for building programs.
 > The M2IDE development environment that comes with it.
 > IDLTm2 tool to produce amigalib Interface DEFINITION mods.
 > A case test generator program, tgM2, for Modula-2.
 > A TestManager harness program for running tgM2 test cases.

 > The GuideMaker program on OS4Depot.
 > The LoggerWindow program on OS4Depot.
 > The compiler compiles itself.
 > The Capture Challenge game for programmers.
 
The compiler is, of course, not competitive with GCC for PPC
code optimization, but it does a good job of creating correct
machine code for a correct Modula-2 program.

Modula-2 is certainly a relatively "obscure" language (at
least in the U.S), but far from a dead one. A number of
compilers are available without cost for different platforms.
There is an ISO standard and most newer compilers, including
AgletM2PPC, cleave closely enough to the standard to achieve
good portability.

M2 does offer some things you don't get with GNU C:

A better approach to building modular software - You don't
have to spend 50% of your development time figuring out why
your "make" file does not work.  :)

A cleaner, simpler language than C, offering a better type
system, more rational array handling, much better design for
modular programming supporting Abstract Data Types and much
greater opportunity to change module implementations without
propagating complexity and uncertainty.

Included are Amiga oriented support modules designed to
enable you to effectively start using Intuition, Reaction,
etc, without having to become an expert in all the details.
Direct calls to AmigaLibs are available, but intermediate
modules from Aglet like "SimpleGUI", "SimpleRequesters",
"SimpleImageHander", "SimpleRexx", and "AmigaTimer" expose a
straightforward nterface to common needs.

If you do have a the GoldEd (and the Cubic package), do visit
OS4 Depot and download Frank Ruthe's materials for a very nice
extended integration of M2 into GoldEd 8. Filed as
"development/ide/agletm2cubic.lha" It includes a very detailed
description of how to setup the various features of GoldEd for
this purpose, and also some nice M2 icons. URL is
http://os4depot.net/share/development/ide/agletm2cubic_lha.readme