Most recent edit on 2004-04-18 02:39:14 by RichardBerg
Additions:
(originally posted here∞)
Punch Steve Ballmer and win a free compiler!
Deletions:
(originally posted here∞)
Edited on 2004-04-18 02:07:31 by RichardBerg
Additions:
In an unheralded yet surprising move, Microsoft has made their C/C optimizing compiler (MSOC) available as a free download∞. Previous incarnations of the "standard" compiler have been distributed with platform SDKs -- and more recently, the .NET framework -- but the version with full optimization features enabled has only been available as a component of its professional line of Visual Studio tools. Although merely a command-line program like its predecessors, it and the included build environment provide a complete back-end for full-featured Win32 projects.
For clues into Microsoft's intentions, we have to peek into the licensing. Educational and internal use is expressly allowed, as usual. Interestingly, commercial use is not directly addressed in the EULA; the FAQ on the website indicates no sign of restrictions. At first glance, this appears to be a simple continuation of longstanding policy: "developers developers developers!" in Steve Ballmer's usual eloquence.
However, why MSOC? The company has been quite liberal in giving copies of the full Studio to students, while it spends millions courting and educating its professional customers. Why now? One could speculate that MS is starting to sense industry pressures to develop for non-Windows platforms. Nevertheless, it's doubtful that software development significant to competing platforms themselves would be dissuaded by a few hundred bucks. Perhaps they feel the added value of their latest IDEs is great enough that they simply have nothing to lose. Regardless, it's good news for creators and users of 3rd-party development software.
Deletions:
In an unheralded yet surprising move, Microsoft has made their C/C optimizing compiler (MSOC) available as a free download∞. Previous incarnations of the "standard" compiler have been distributed with platform SDKs -- and more recently, the .NET framework -- but the version with full optimization features enabled has always been a component of its professional line of Visual Studio tools. Although merely a command-line program like its predecessors, it and the included build environment provide a complete back-end for full-featured Win32 projects.
For clues into Microsoft's intentions, I have to peek into the licensing. Educational and internal use is expressly allowed, as usual. Interestingly, commercial use is not directly addressed in the EULA; the FAQ on the website indicates no sign of restrictions. At first glance, this appears to be a simple continuation of longstanding policy: "developers developers developers!" in Steve Ballmer's usual eloquence.
However, why MSOC? The company has been quite liberal in giving copies of the full Studio to students, and it spends millions courting and educating its professional customers. Why now? I could speculate that MS is starting to sense industry pressures to develop for non-Windows platforms. Nevertheless, it's doubtful that software development significant to competing platforms themselves would be dissuaded by a few hundred bucks. Perhaps they feel the added value of their latest IDEs is great enough that they simply have nothing to lose. Regardless, it's good news for creators and users of 3rd-party development software.
Edited on 2004-04-18 01:48:29 by RichardBerg
Additions:
In an unheralded yet surprising move, Microsoft has made their C/C optimizing compiler (MSOC) available as a free download∞. Previous incarnations of the "standard" compiler have been distributed with platform SDKs -- and more recently, the .NET framework -- but the version with full optimization features enabled has always been a component of its professional line of Visual Studio tools. Although merely a command-line program like its predecessors, it and the included build environment provide a complete back-end for full-featured Win32 projects.
However, why MSOC? The company has been quite liberal in giving copies of the full Studio to students, and it spends millions courting and educating its professional customers. Why now? I could speculate that MS is starting to sense industry pressures to develop for non-Windows platforms. Nevertheless, it's doubtful that software development significant to competing platforms themselves would be dissuaded by a few hundred bucks. Perhaps they feel the added value of their latest IDEs is great enough that they simply have nothing to lose. Regardless, it's good news for creators and users of 3rd-party development software.
Deletions:
In an unheralded yet surprising move, Microsoft has made their C/C optimizing compiler (MSOC) available as a free download∞. Previous incarnations of the "standard" compiler have been distributed with platform SDKs -- and more recently, the .NET framework -- but the version with full optimization features enabled has always been a component of its professional line of Visual Studio tools. Although merely a command-line program like its predecessors, it and the usual build environment provide all the necessary back-end for a full-featured Win32 project.
However, why MSOC? The company has been quite liberal in giving copies of the full Studio to students, and spends millions courting and educating its professional customers. Why now? I could speculate that MS is starting to sense industry pressure to develop for non-Windows platforms. Nevertheless, it's doubtful that software development significant to rival platforms themselves would be dissuaded by a few hundred bucks. Perhaps they feel the added value of their latest IDEs is great enough that they simply have nothing to lose. Regardless, it's good news for creators and users of 3rd-party development software.
Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2004-04-18 01:44:41 by RichardBerg []
Page view:
(originally posted
here∞)
In an unheralded yet surprising move, Microsoft has made their C/C
optimizing compiler (MSOC) available as a free download∞. Previous incarnations of the "standard" compiler have been distributed with platform SDKs -- and more recently, the .NET framework -- but the version with full optimization features enabled has always been a component of its professional line of Visual Studio tools. Although merely a command-line program like its predecessors, it and the usual build environment provide all the necessary back-end for a full-featured Win32 project.
For clues into Microsoft's intentions, I have to peek into the licensing. Educational and internal use is expressly allowed, as usual. Interestingly, commercial use is not directly addressed in the EULA; the FAQ on the website indicates no sign of restrictions. At first glance, this appears to be a simple continuation of longstanding policy: "developers developers developers!" in Steve Ballmer's usual eloquence.
However, why MSOC? The company has been quite liberal in giving copies of the full Studio to students, and spends millions courting and educating its professional customers. Why now? I could speculate that MS is starting to sense industry pressure to develop for non-Windows platforms. Nevertheless, it's doubtful that software development significant to rival platforms themselves would be dissuaded by a few hundred bucks. Perhaps they feel the added value of their latest IDEs is great enough that they simply have nothing to lose. Regardless, it's good news for creators and users of 3rd-party development software.
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