GNU vmslib
	Main page	Bugs	Manual	Resources

Overview

GNU vmslib is a bunch of files and small routines that can help people to port GNU programs to VMS. It consists of a C function library, with routines that are missing in the current system C libraries that have been seen so far, maybe with the exception of GNU libc. In GNU vmslib, there are also a bunch of scripts (in VMS terminology, they are called `command procedures') which help a lot in writing makefiles, and other scripts. There is more, please read the README file in each directory for further instruction.

GNU vmslib is different from the packages you usually use by not really being a program that you can use in itself. Rather, you will tend to copy a few, or maybe all of the files to whatever other GNU program you wish to port. There is one program (really a script) that can be used directly, and that is gen_descrip.com. It is a command procedure that takes an input file and generates a makefile, which you can use to automagically copy the right files to the right other GNU packages.

History

Project Goals

At the moment the project goals for GNU vmslib are fairly simple and straightforward. In time these will be revised as new development members come on board with new ideas.

• Update GNU Public License to GPLv3.
• Rewrite core GNU package documentation (README, MAINTAINERS, etcetera).
• Write a manual, HOWTOs, and other relevant documentation.
• Remove non-essential files from original package.
• Add a GNU parent-directory ChangeLog to replace existing log files.
• Release GNU vmslib v1.0.
• Actively develop from GNU vmslib v1.0 to:
  • Allow ports of GNU packages to any version of OpenVMS up to current release.
  • Address issues of portability between VAX and Alpha.
  • Provide 100% compatibility with GCC to the latest release.
• Retire project and defer to GNV as sole porting source for GNU on VMS.

For status on outstanding tasks see the tasks page.

Contributing

Various roles are currently being opened through the Savannah project for GNU vmslib. See the link below for more information.

GNU vmslib on Savannah

Standards Conformance

As is expected, standards for coding and documentation for the GNU vmslib are identified by GNU and the FSF. Individual standards that apply to conventions on OpenVMS systems shall be identified and addressed as the requirements for the project goals are identified.

Manual

Visit the GNU vmslib Manual page here.

Porting

[ More information to follow. ]

Current Status

To keep up on the latest status of GNU vmslib, you can join the mailing lists below.

vmslib-dev - GNU vmslib development mailing list.

To see the collection of prior posting to the list, visit the vmslib-dev archives. To post a message to all the list members, write to vmslib-dev at gnu dot org You can (un)subscribe to the list by following instructions on the list information page.

View the archives by clicking here.

vmslib-docs - GNU vmslib documentation mailing list.

To see the collection of prior posting to the list, visit the vmslib-docs archives. To post a message to all the list members, write to vmslib-docs at gnu dot org You can (un)subscribe to the list by following instructions on the list information page.

View the archives by clicking here.

Availability

The releases are available at http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/vmslib/ and its mirrors. (Email the maintainer if you wish to mirror GNU vmslib separately.)

Bugs

See this page for information on reporting bugs in GNU vmslib.

Resources

See below for some resources relevant to GNU vmslib.

• OpenVMS Community Portal
• HP OpenVMS Systems
• MARWAY
• Bernd "VAXMAN" Ulmann
• Deathrow OpenVMS Cluster
• GNU's Not VMS

People

Many others have contributed in large amounts as documented in the GNU vmslib Contributors page of the manual.