Right. I'm currently in a class that is exploring many different programming languages. Among them are COBOL and Ada, both of which I can't seem to find a free compiler. Has anyone had better luck and if so, where might I find them? Thanks!
+2
A:
gcc's Ada compiler, gnat, does not come with Xcode so you will need to find it elsewhere or build it from source. Free COBOL compilers are a bit harder to find.
Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams
2010-08-26 00:46:07
Hmm, thanks, but that doesn't really give me useful information. I will keep searching, thanks!
Grimless
2010-08-26 02:41:58
How did this answer get a +2? - There are far more usefull answers here like the one from trashgod!
Martin
2010-10-14 08:44:38
+3
A:
The OpenCOBOL compiler is free. As far as I know there are versions for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X - http://www.opencobol.org
Edit : A possible option might be Veryant isCOBOL http://www.veryant.com. Veryant are due to release a student version (i.e. restricted) of their compiler. Veryant's isCOBOL compiler compiles to a Java run-time and as such may run on OS X.
Their faq http://www.veryant.com/products/faq.php?type=all states that "Being Java-based, the isCOBOL Compiler runs on any platform that supports a Java Development Kit (JDK) version 1.4.2 or greater. The isCOBOL Debugger and isCOBOL compiled code can run on any platform that supports a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) of 1.4.2 or later. Thus, isCOBOL APS supports a wealth of platforms including AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris and Windows. The only exception to this is isCOBOL ISAM ODBC, which currently runs only on Windows."
colemanj
2010-08-26 07:46:50
I checked their site, and they claim it has been built on OSX, but there is no prebuilt available for it. That means Grimless would have to build it from sources him/herself. How easy that is depends on the makefiles, but generally such a task is not for beginners or the faint of heart.
T.E.D.
2010-08-26 13:02:21
As ugly a prospect as this is, I am not sure there are any better options (at least for a free compiler).
NealB
2010-08-26 19:01:41
+3
A:
There is much available for Ada at http://libre.adacore.com/libre/, including Eclipse plugins and IDEs. Free downloads are available for students.
tomwhipple
2010-08-26 14:09:39
Free (libre and beer) downloads are available for anyone! AdaCore have an academic program (GAP), http://www.adacore.com/home/academia/gap/, which includes support too.
Simon Wright
2010-08-26 21:32:20
You can also build your own copies from sources if you like, as it is a full-fledged part of GCC. However, I think doing so gives your program the GPL infection.
T.E.D.
2010-08-30 14:35:53