The SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler

Create mainframe C and C++ applications by using a Windows NT/95 or UNIX workstation

The SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler and the SAS/C Cross-Platform C++ Development System run on a Windows or UNIX workstation and produce prelinked output files that can be transferred (via FTP, for example) to an IBM System/370 mainframe. Using the SAS/C Compiler for MVS or CMS, the files can then be linked to produce an executable load module.

Like the mainframe versions of the SAS/C Compiler and C++ Development System, the cross-platform products are a portable implementation of the high-level C and C++ languages. They provide the same functionality under a Windows NT/95 or a UNIX operating system (specifically AIX, Solaris/SunOS, or Linux), as the SAS/C Compiler and the C++ Development System does under the MVS or CMS operating systems.

The features of the SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler and C++ Development System include the following:

• All SAS/C and C++ preprocessor capabilities, including # pragma statements
• All SAS/C and C++ code generation capabilities, including optimization and other features
• All of the prelinking functionality provided by the SAS/C COOL utility, including extended names processing
• An object module dissembler that can be used to generate an object module disassembly listing file
• The capability of producing object modules suitable for debugging with the mainframe SAS/C Debugger
• Support for the SAS/C CICS preprocessor
• Support for portable ar370 archive libraries

Invocation of the SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler is similar to other compilers commonly used on the UNIX platform, lending familiarity to UNIX developers and simplifying integration demands with other UNIX build management tools.

On a Windows NT/95 workstation, the SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler can be invoked:

• Within the Microsoft Visual C++ Integrated Development Environment (IDE) allowing you to alternate between the SAS/C and Microsoft compilers. The advantages of integrating with a proven IDE such as Microsoft Developer Studio include:
  • Distinguishing between BUILD and REBUILD ALL
  • Using all uppercase file names and file extensions
  • Managing multiple files

• Under the DOS shell to use batch files, the NMAKE utility, and external makefiles exported from the IDE, giving you:
  • The ability to write customized make projects
  • The flexibility to port project makefiles from other platforms
  • Greater control over the build environment.

To complement your experience with the SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler on a Windows platform, we offer a comprehensive suite of online help files, including a tutorial.

There are other cross development tools on the market today, but their compiler and library reside on the mainframe. By using the SAS/C Cross-Platform Compiler and C++ Development System to generate code for the mainframe, you'll gain the following benefits:

• Reduced mainframe load
  By moving compilations off the mainframe, CPU cycles are preserved for other users. This can amount to a significant reduction in mainframe requirements, directly translating into a large cost savings.

• Improved workstation source management
  Developers may take advantage of improved workstation source management tools, such as hierarchical file systems.

• Improved workstation build management
  Developers may take advantage of improved workstation build management tools, such as make utilities.

• Improved compilation turnaround
  In a heavy development environment, developers often find that performing compilations locally can result in better turnaround time.