Digital's FX!32 and Open Source? 10
Anonymous Coward muttered this question in my ear: "Has anyone thought about approaching Digital to release FX!32 under an open source style license, so that people running Linux/Alpha can take x86 binaries and run them, the same as they can for Windows NT Alpha? What about making the FX!32 backend work on the other non x86 PCs, Sparc, PPC, ARM, etc? Is there a team working on a kernel module to do this? I think it could fall under the Binary format option. I think this would make Linux/some other CPU more attractive then Linux/x86.
I use Linux x86 myself, but would like to use an Alpha or PowerPC, however apps like Real Player, Codewarrior, Word Perfect, Star Office, some of which I use, as far as I know, only exist for x86. "
The coolness of FX!32 (Score:1)
That being said, I would support a petition calling for open-sourcing this project or even providing a biary port, possibly as an extention to IBCS After all, FX!32 it only works on Alpha's which could expect a sales increase because of the gesture - God knows the Alpha needs it. Perhaps the whole thing could spark a new slew of 'emulation' kernel modules (Say hello to Transmeta) that would allow anyone with any processor to run applications designed for any other one. Sure it'd be slightly slower, but not *MUCH* slower if done properly, and it would mae Linux *MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE* to commercial developers.
~GoRK
they spent like 5 years on FX32 (Score:1)
they are unlikely to give away the source !
what they are likely to do if Pressured is give away it for alpha linux to increase sales and PR in linux world just like the alpha math libs
sorry but you are dealing with compaq and not digital so a move would take @ least a year and everybody else have done it before
isnt their a emulator for intel to alpha linux ?
yep just forgot where it is
if you cant compile it or the vendor wont surplie it for your system at a cost its not that good !!
cya
john
a poor student @ bournemouth uni in the UK (a deltic so please dont moan about spelling but the content)
Re:The coolness of FX!32 (Score:1)
I they are planning on proving Fermat's Last Theorem while simultaneously working out the perfect solution to the traveling salesman problem after they do all of the above.
Re:The coolness of FX!32 (Score:1)
Oh.. Did I mention what I do? (Score:1)
My research is taking this C output and getting it to compile to java bytecode and then writing the necessary support routines in java to get the binary running.. currently I can translate small example programs and benchmarks (with some of em running 10 times slower, man java sux.. then again, some of em run faster on the JVM with JIT's turned on).
And that's what I do. We refer to FX!32 in half of our papers cause it is a good example of binary translation.
Re:The coolness of FX!32 (Score:1)
I suppose the Freedows people find the proof extremely bloated and will look to find a more streamlined, modular proof that could be used as parts of other proofs. They're even going to port GCC to it too, so you'll be able to prove things natively!
~GoRK