Over the past few months developers on forums and mailing lists have expressed an interest in developing for the new Amiga platform. For users it has been exciting to learn that people are eager to develop for their favourite platform but for developers it has been frustrating as their hasn't been much discussion as to how they can begin developing for the new platform. To help cover some of the frequently asked questions this simple guide has been created.
Some developers have shown a great deal of commitment to the new platform by purchasing an AmigaOne from Eyetech or their local dealer. These developers have positioned themselves well as they will soon receive a pre-release of AmigaOS 4, which includes an initial version of the Software Developer Kit. According to a statement from Hyperion, “we will be able to provide developers with everything they need to start developing for OS 4.0”. The first item a developer really needs to have is an AmigaOne.
It is known that the price of AmigaOne hardware has put off some developers but this is likely to be temporary as the AmigaOne Lite should be available at a lower price. These developers can still create new software, as Hyperion have been working on cross-compilers for a number of platforms. Currently there are cross-compilers for platforms such as Linux x86, LinuxPPC, MacOS X and more. Former developers who are use to developing software for these platforms should be to use these cross-compilers to bring their titles to the new Amiga platform.
Thomas Frieden, a leading member of AmigaOS 4 project explained the technical side as to how these cross-compilers will work. He said, “For the OS4 compilers on Linux, it's done like this: The cross compiler is installed in /usr/local/amiga. To use it, you just add "/usr/local/amiga/bin" to your PATH variable, and then you can use all the compiler tools with a prefix of "ppc-amigaos-", i.e. ppc-amigaos-gcc. This includes libraries that come with the compiler, they are usually installed in /usr/local/amiga/ppc-amigaos/, in the subdirectory include (for the compiler's header files), os-include (for the system header files), and lib (linker libraries)”.
The initial version of the Software Developer Kit will also include at least three AmigaOS 4 native compilers - gcc 2.95.3, gcc 3.4, and vbcc. Gcc is the Gnu Compiler System, and is by far the most sophisticated open compiler in existence, while vbcc is a highly optimizing portable and retargetable ISO C compiler. It should be noted that gcc will initially support C and C++ but it might in future support Java if someone willing to port the java runtime is found. According to Thomas Frieden, “installing a native compile is equally simple: Unpack the compiler somewhere, assign "gcc:" to this directory, and add gcc:bin to the path. That's it, really”.
The SDK will also include a number of additional utilities to help developers produce software. Some of the utilities are minor ones such as gdb, the Gnu Debugger, while others are vital like fdtrans, which is a program to convert old-style SFD files into next-gen XML files. Hans-Jörg Frieden recently stated, “XML files are used by the program "idltool", which is a program that converts these XML files into all sort of output files (much like fd2pragma or SFD before). idltool is primarily used to generate all required include files for an OS 4 style library, but it can also generate a skeleton source code for a library, so that a programmer only has to write an XML file, turn it into source code, and add the functions to it. This should make it easier to write libraries in OS 4”.
In terms of support to developers, documentation and sample source-code will be provided in the initial version of the Software Developer Kit. Hans-Jörg Frieden even hinted on Amiga World that docs might be available to download at some stage but did not know when this would happen.
Those developers who experience problems can expect to receive help from the forums on the Amiga Inc website and Amiga World. In a recent interview, Fleecy Moss of Amiga Inc stated, “Amiga World have already expressed an interest in becoming a forum for support and feedback of information generated from the pre-release”. Developers should note that Hyperion must not be the first port of call if they require assistance, as this will only delay them from finishing AmigaOS 4.
Summary
- Requirements: AmigaOne hardware is essential and you will receive a pre-release of AmigaOS 4, which includes an initial version of the Software Developer Kit.
- Compilers: Cross-compilers for platforms such as Linux x86, LinuxPPC, and MacOS X. AmigaOS 4 native compilers - gcc 2.95.3, gcc 3.4, and vbcc.
- Support: Documentation and sample source-code will be provided. Direct questions and requests for assistance to the forums on the Amiga Inc website and Amiga World.
This guide will be updated as soon as more details are released.
|
