# GNU's Bulletin, vol. 1 no. 14

@landscapegnubull

@dohbox @dovtop

{@line {@chaprm GNU's Bulletin June, 1992}}

The GNU's Bulletin is the semi-annual newsletter of the

Free Software Foundation, bringing you

news about the GNU Project.

@dovtop

### Contents

    GNU's Who                               		  2
    What Is the Free Software Foundation?   		  3
    What Is Copyleft?                       		  3
    Free Software Support                   		  4
    GNUs Flashes                            		  5
    Patent Reform Is Not Enough             		  6
    What Is the LPF?                        		  7
    U.S. Federal Database Bill              		  8
    The Hurd: the GNU Kernel Advances       		  9
    Project GNU Status Report               		  10
    A GNU Standard on Suns?                 		  13
    Andrew Toolkit Stays Free               		  13
    GNU in Japan                            		  14
    GNU Documentation                       		  15
    Project GNU Wish List                   		  16
    How to Get GNU Software                 		  17
    GNU Software Available Now              		  18
       Contents of the Emacs Tape           		  18
       Contents of the Languages Tape       		  19
       Contents of the Utilities Tape       		  22
       Contents of the Experimental Tape    		  24
       X11 and Berkeley Networking 2 Tapes  		  26
       VMS Emacs and Compiler Tapes         		  26
    Free Software for Microcomputers        		  27
    Free Software Foundation Order Form     		  29
    Thank GNUs                              		  31

# GNU's Who

@indent Michael Bushnell is working on the GNU operating system and maintains GNU `tar`. Jim Blandy is preparing GNU Emacs 19, and Joseph Arceneaux is implementing active regions for a future GNU Emacs release. Roland McGrath is polishing the C library and maintains GNU `make`.

@indent Tom Lord is writing a graphics library and working on Oleo, the GNU spreadsheet. Brian Fox is improving various programs that he has written including `makeinfo`, `info`, the `readline` library, BASH, and is writing the BASH Manual. Jan Brittenson is working on the C interpreter and maintaining `finger`. Mike Haertel is making GNU `grep` POSIX compliant and beginning work on optical character recognition. David MacKenzie maintains most of GNU's small utilities--more programs than nearly everyone else combined.

@indent Kathy Hargreaves and Karl Berry are making fonts (and coordinating volunteers making fonts), developing utilities for dealing with them, and working on Ghostscript. Melissa Weisshaus is editing documentation and will work on the GNU Utilities Manual.

@indent Noah Friedman is our system administrator. Lisa `Opus' Goldstein continues to run the business end of FSF, with Gena Lynne Bean assisting in the office. Spike MacPhee assists RMS with legal assignments of software and other administrative tasks. Robert J. Chassell, our Secretary/Treasurer, also handles our publishing and is working on an introduction to programming in Emacs Lisp, in addition to many other tasks.

@indent Richard Stallman continues as a volunteer who does countless tasks, such as C compiler maintenance and finishing the C Library Manual.

Volunteer Len Tower remains our on-line JOAT (jack-of-all-trades), handling mailing lists and gnUSENET, information requests, etc.

# GNU's Bulletin

Written and Edited by: Jan Brittenson, Noah S. Friedman,

@indent Robert J. Chassell, Melissa Weisshaus, Richard Stallman,

and Leonard H. Tower Jr.

Illustrations: Etienne Suvasa

Japanese Edition: Mieko Hikichi and Nobuyuki Hikichi

The GNU's Bulletin is published twice annually. To get a copy, send your request to the address on the first page. If you live in an area served by the US Post Office, please also send a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Number 10 Envelope), otherwise please include a preprinted mailing label. A small donation to cover copying costs is appreciated but not required.

Copyright (C) 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

Permission is granted to anyone to make or distribute verbatim copies of this document as received, in any medium, provided that the copyright notice and permission notice are preserved, and that the distributor grants the recipient permission for further redistribution as permitted by this notice.

# What Is the Free Software Foundation?

The Free Software Foundation is dedicated to eliminating restrictions on copying, redistribution, understanding, and modification of computer programs. We do this by promoting the development and use of free software in all areas of computer use. Specifically, we are putting together a complete integrated software system named "GNU" (GNU's Not Unix) that will be upwardly compatible with Unix. Some large parts of this system are already working, and we are distributing them now.

The word "free" in our name pertains to freedom, not price. You may or may not pay a price to get GNU software. Either way, you have two specific freedoms once you have the software: first, the freedom to copy the program and give it away to your friends and co-workers; and second, the freedom to change the program as you wish, by having full access to source code. Furthermore, you can study the source and learn how such programs are written. You may then be able to port it, improve it, and share your changes with others. (If you redistribute GNU software, you may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, or you may give away copies.)

Other organizations distribute whatever free software happens to be available. By contrast, the Free Software Foundation concentrates on development of new free software, working towards a GNU system complete enough to eliminate the need for you to purchase a proprietary system.

Besides developing GNU, FSF distributes copies of GNU software and manuals for a distribution fee, and accepts tax-deductible gifts to support GNU development. Most of FSF's funds come from its distribution service.

The Board of the Foundation is: Richard M. Stallman, President;
Robert J. Chassell, Secretary/Treasurer; Gerald J. Sussman, Harold Abelson, and Leonard H. Tower Jr., Directors.

# What Is Copyleft?

The simplest way to make a program free is to put it in the public domain, uncopyrighted. But this allows anyone to copyright and restrict its use against the author's wishes, thus denying others the right to access and freely redistribute it. This completely perverts the original intent.

To prevent this, we copyright our software in a novel manner. Typical software companies use copyrights to take away your freedoms. We use the copyleft to preserve them. It is a legal instrument that requires those who pass on the program to include the rights to further redistribute it, and to see and change the code; the code and rights become legally inseparable.

The copyleft used by the GNU Project is made from a combination of a regular copyright notice and the GNU General Public License (GPL). The GPL is a copying license which basically says that you have the freedoms discussed above. An alternate form, the GNU Library General Public License (LGPL), applies to certain GNU Libraries. This license permits linking the libraries into proprietary executables under certain conditions. The appropriate license is included in all GNU source code distributions and in many of our manuals. We will also send you a printed copy upon request.

Note that the library license actually represents a strategic retreat. We would prefer to insist as much as possible that programs based on GNU software must themselves be free. However, in the case of libraries, we found that insisting they be used only in free software appeared to discourage use of the libraries rather than encouraging free applications.

If the library license does promote the further use and development of free libraries by the developers of proprietary applications, we may consider putting more of the GNU Project libraries under it.

We strongly encourage you to copyleft your programs and documentation, and we have made it as simple as possible for you to do so. The details on how to apply the GPL appear at the end of the GPL.

# Free Software Support

The Free Software Foundation does not provide any technical support. Although we create software, we leave it to others to earn a living providing support because we would rather concentrate on the former task. We see programmers as providing a service, much as doctors and lawyers now do--both medical and legal knowledge are freely redistributable entities for which the practitioners charge a distribution and service fee.

We maintain a list of people who offer support and other consulting services, called the GNU Service Directory. It is in the file ``etc/SERVICE'` in the GNU Emacs distribution and ``SERVICE'` in the GCC distribution. Contact us if you would like a printed copy or wish to be listed in it.

If you find a deficiency in any GNU software, we want to know. We have many Internet mailing lists for announcements, bug reports, and questions. They are also gatewayed into USENET news as the `gnu.*` newsgroups.

If you have no Internet access, you can get mail and USENET news via UUCP. Contact a local UUCP site, or a commercial UUCP site such as:

    Anterior Technology             		 info@fernwood.mpk.ca.us
    P.O. Box 1206,                  		 Fax: (415) 322-1753
    Menlo Park, CA   94026-1206   USA 		 Phone: (415) 328-5615
    UUNET Communications Services,  		 info@ftp.uu.net
    3110 Fairview Park Drive -- Suite 570,
    Falls Church, VA   22042   USA 		 Phone: (703) 876--5050

When we receive a bug report, we usually try to fix the problem. While our bug fixes may seem like individual assistance, they are not. Our task is so large that we must focus on that which helps the community as a whole, such as developing and maintaining software and documentation. We do not have the resources to help individuals. If your bug report does not evoke a solution from us, you may still get one from the many other users who read our bug report mailing lists. Otherwise, use the Service Directory.

So, please do not ask us to help you install the software or figure out how to use it--but do tell us how an installation script does not work or where the documentation is unclear.

> "If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

--Isaac Newton

# GNUs Flashes

- Free Unix Emulator for Mach

  @indent Randall Dean at CMU is finishing up a free BSD-based Unix emulator for Mach. It does not yet run reliably, but if it does become robust well before the Hurd is ready we will probably use it to create an early, completely free GNU system. We do not expect tape distribution of this emulator before the next issue of the GNUs Bulletin. Please don't ask us about this project; we will make an announcement when it is ready.

  @indent Roland McGrath is porting the GNU C library to work with this emulator.

- Berkeley Networking 2 Release

  The FSF now offers the BSD networking 2 release on tape (see "Berkeley Networking 2 Tape" under "GNU Software Available Now").

- Distribution Tapes Reorganized

  Our software distribution has been reorganized. The old Compiler tape has been split into a Languages and a Utilities tape. Some software has also moved from the Emacs tape to the other two tapes. In addition, we have a temporary Experimental tape. See "GNU Software Available Now."

- FSF Distributing on Exabyte Cassettes

  We are now offering our tapes on 8mm Exabyte cassettes. For more information, see "FSF Order Form" for details.

- New Binding for GNU Manuals

  Several GNU manuals are now bound as soft cover books with a new lay-flat binding technology. This allows you to open them so they "lie flat" on a table without creasing the binding. Each book has an inner cloth spine and an outer cardboard cover that will not break or crease as an ordinary paperback will. Currently, the GAWK, Bison, GDB, and Emacs Lisp Reference manuals have this binding. All other GNU manuals are also bound so they lie flat when opened, using other technologies.

- GNU Fortran Mailing List

  A mailing list exists for those interested in the Fortran front end for GCC. To subscribe, ask: `info-gnu-fortran-request@prep.ai.mit.edu`. Meanwhile, the front end itself is rapidly approaching an alpha test state.

- GNU in Russia Moves Forward

  Progress is being made on the GNU Project in Russia. The "Center for GNU Development" is translating GNU documentation into Russian. Recently, they finished the first version of a Modula-2-to-C translator. They are also working on an SQL database management system and on other projects.

> "If I have not seen farther, it is because giants were standing on my shoulders."

--anonymous

# Patent Reform Is Not Enough

by Richard Stallman

When people first learn about the problem of software patents, their attention is often drawn to the egregious examples: patents that cover techniques already widely known. These techniques include sorting a collection of formulae so that no variable is used before it is calculated (called "natural order recalculation" in spreadsheets), and the use of exclusive-or to modify the contents of a bit-map display.

Focusing on these examples can lead some people to ignore the rest of the problem. They are attracted to the position that the patent system is basically correct and needs only "reforms" to carry out its own rules properly.

But would correct implementation really solve the problem of software patents? Let's consider an example.

In April 1991, software developer Ross Williams began publishing a series of data compression programs using new algorithms of his own devising. Their superior speed and compression quality soon attracted users.

The following September, when the FSF was about a week away from releasing one of them as the new choice for compressing our distribution files, use of these programs in the United States was halted by a newly issued patent, number 5,049,881.

Under the current patent rules, whether the public is allowed to use these programs (i.e., whether the patent is invalid) depends on whether there is "prior art": whether the basic idea was published before the patent application, which was on June 18, 1990. Williams' publication in April 1991 came after that date, so it does not count.

A student described a similar algorithm in 1988--1989 in a class paper at the University of San Francisco, but the paper was not published. So it does not count as prior art under the current rules.

Reforms to make the patent system work "properly" would be no help here. Under the rules of the patent system, this patent seems valid. There is no prior art for it. It is not close to obvious, as the patent system interprets the term. (Like most patents, it is neither worldshaking nor trivial, but somewhere in between.) The fault is in the rules themselves, not their execution.

In the US legal system, patents are intended as a bargain between society and individuals; society is supposed to gain through the disclosure of techniques that would otherwise never be available. It is clear that society has gained nothing by issuing patent number 5,049,881.

Under current rules, our ability to use Williams's programs depends on whether anyone happened to publish the same idea before June 18, 1990. That is to say, it depends on luck. This system is good for promoting the practice of law, but not progress in software.

Teaching the Patent Office to look at more of the existing prior art might prevent some outrageous mistakes. It will not cure the greater problem, which is the patenting of every new wrinkle in the use of computers, like the one that Williams and others independently developed.

This will turn software into a quagmire. Even an innovative program typically uses dozens of not-quite-new techniques and features, each of which might have been patented. Our ability to use each wrinkle will depend on luck, and if we are unlucky half the time, few programs will escape infringing a large number of patents. Navigating the maze of patents will be harder than writing software. As The Economist says, software patents are simply bad for business.

If you'd like to do something, the easiest thing to do is to join the League for Programming Freedom.

# What Is the LPF?

The League for Programming Freedom (LPF) aims to protect the freedom to write software. This freedom is threatened by "look-and-feel" interface copyright lawsuits, and by software patents. The LPF does not endorse free software or the FSF.

The League's members include programmers, entrepreneurs, students, professors, the FSF, and even some software companies.

From the League membership form:

> @indent The League for Programming Freedom is a grass-roots organization of professors, students, business people, programmers, and users dedicated to bringing back the freedom to write programs. The League is not opposed to the legal system that Congress intended--copyright on individual programs. Our aim is to reverse the recent changes made by judges in response to special interests.

> Membership dues in the League are $42 per year for programmers, managers and professionals; $10.50 for students; $21 for others.

To join, please send a check and the following information:

- Your name and phone numbers (home, work or both).

- The address for League mailings, a few each year (please indicate whether it is your home address or your work address).

- The company you work for, and your position.

- Your email address, so the League can contact you for political action. (If you don't want to be contacted for this, please say so, but please give your email address anyway.)

- Please mention anything about you which would enable your
  endorsement of the LPF to impress the public.

- Please say whether you would like to help with LPF activities.

The address is:

    League for Programming Freedom  		 league@prep.ai.mit.edu
    1 Kendall Square - #143
    P.O. Box 9171
    Cambridge, MA   02139   USA

If you haven't made up your mind yet write to LPF for more information, or send Internet mail to `league@prep.ai.mit.edu`.

# LPF Ends Ashton-Tate Boycott

Ashton-Tate (now a subsidiary of Borland) has offered to drop its look and feel lawsuit against Fox. In response, the League for Programming Freedom has dropped its boycott of Ashton-Tate products.

# U.S. Federal Database Bill

A bill before Congress, H.R. 2772, would have the Government Printing Office (GPO) create a Wide Information Network for Data Online (WINDO), allowing individual users to subscribe to a number of Federal databases, including: the FDA Bulletin Board, the Economic Bulletin Board, the SEC's EDGAR database of corporate disclosure filings, the Patent and Trademark Office's Automated Patent System, the "Federal Register," the "Congressional Record," the House of Representatives' LEGIS system, the Library of Congress' SCORPIO system, the Department of State press briefings and Congressional Testimonies, and many other U.S. Federal government information systems.

The GPO would administer the service for a low user dissemination-based charge, providing access through most common access methods, including by dial-up modem and over the Internet. User feedback would be greatly encouraged. Bill H.R. 2772 was introduced by Rep. Charlie Rose (D-NC) in June 1991. To support the bill, write or call your congressman. Also write or call Rep. Rose to show your support and send a copy to the Taxpayer Assets Project. For more information on WINDO, you can contact:

    American Library Association 		 Tel: (202) 547-4440
    Washington Office            		 Fax: (202) 547-7363
    110 Maryland Avenue, NE
    Washington, DC  20002-5675

    Taxpayer Assets Project 		 Tel: (202) 387-8030
    P.O. Box 19367          		 Fax: (202) 234-5176
    Washington, DC  20036   		 Bitnet: love@pucc
                            		 Internet: 508-0621@mcimail.com
    Joint Committee on Printing
    818 Hart Senate Bldg.   		 Tel: (202) 224-5241
    Washington, DC  20510          		 Fax: (202) 224-1176

# Another Free Software Support Business

by Russ Nelson, Crynwr Software, `nelson@crynwr.com`

The Crynwr packet driver collection, a finalist in PC Magazine's 1991 Awards for Technical Excellence, is copylefted software. The packet drivers are a mix of PC Ethernet drivers and shims to other driver software. Packet drivers are used natively by nearly all TCP/IP software and can also be used with Novell's NetWare, Banyan Vines, and Performance Technology's PowerLAN. After nearly four years, the list of contributors stretches almost two pages. My firm, Crynwr Software, six months old, is the sole support for my family, selling packet driver support. Crynwr Software is another example of a successful business venture based on copylefted software.

> "In the sciences, we are now uniquely privileged to sit side by side with the giants on whose shoulders we stand."

--anonymous

# The Hurd: the GNU Kernel Advances

Development is continuing on the kernel-related aspects of the GNU Operating System. This job consists of writing a set of servers, called the GNU Hurd, that run on top of the Mach 3 microkernel from CMU. The Mach microkernel provides a task abstraction with multiple threads within a single task and powerful IPC and virtual memory systems. Work is proceeding well on our implementation of the BSD Fast Filesystem, and we hope to be able to bootstrap a minimal system this summer.

One of the advantages to the GNU Hurd is that it allows ordinary users to write programs which insert themselves into the directory hierarchy in a secure fashion. Using this idea, we will eventually implement a variety of interesting "filesystems." A simple example is transparent FTP, but there are also ideas like a transparent tar archive. (Just think, all you will need do is `cd` into a tar archive and do an `ls`, instead of remembering incantations like `tar tfv foo.tar`.) There are even stranger ideas people have thought up; this design choice turns out to be surprisingly fruitful. This is a characteristic of the Hurd which is not supported by any other free or nearly-free operating systems, and only a very few commercial systems (none of which look anything like Unix).

We are not sure at this point if the initial alpha test release will have network support in it; this will depend on staffing considerations. If it does not, then implementing the network will be the top priority after the alpha release. The plan is to write a library which will enable network modules from a BSD kernel (many of which are now free) to be "dropped in" and used with only minimal modification, though more work would be needed to enable such a network server to get maximal performance.

Source compatibility with 4.4 BSD and POSIX.1 will be provided by the GNU C Library. In addition, binary compatibility will be provided on some machines using the system call emulation facilities of Mach. Further, a great number of functions, done in Unix by the kernel, will be done in the C library. This allows users who dislike some of the precise semantics of a system call to easily replace it in their programs. Calls such as those which change signal state can be implemented entirely in the library and become much faster as well.

We have a mailing list to discuss the design of Hurd. Experts in OS design and seasoned Unix wizards are welcome to help hash out the details of the interface.

# A Small Way to Help Free Software

If you find that GNU software has been helpful to you, and in particular if you have benefitted from having sources freely available, please help support the spread of free software by telling others. For example, you might say in published papers and internal project reports:

> "We were able to modify the `fubar` utility to serve our particular needs because it is free software. As a result, we were able to finish the XYZ project six months earlier."

Let users, management, and friends know! And send us a copy. Thanks!

# Project GNU Status Report

- GNU Software Configuration Scheme

  To allow GNU software to compile and run on a large number of platforms, it is often necessary to include platform-specific code to handle different situations. It is then useful to know the type of platform on which you are going to build the software. We are now ironing out the details of a uniform scheme for configuring GNU software packages in order to compile them. This will make it possible to configure any and all GNU software in the same way. In particular, all GNU software will support the same naming scheme for machine types and system types.

  The configuration scheme will enable you to configure a directory containing several GNU packages with one command. When we have a complete system, it will be possible to configure everything at once, eliminating the need to learn how to configure each of the individual programs that make up the GNU system.

  For tools used in development, the configuration scheme lets you specify both the host system and the target system, so you can configure and build cross-development tools easily.

  GCC Version 2 and GDB Version 4 support the new configuration scheme, as do many of the smaller programs and collections. Over the coming year, we will change our other software to support it.

- GNU Emacs

  Version 19 will enter beta test late this year. Among its new features are: before and after change hooks, source-level debugging of Emacs Lisp programs, X selection processing (including clipboard selections), scrollbars, support for European character sets, floating point numbers, per-buffer mouse commands, X resource manager interfacing, mouse-tracking, Lisp-level binding of function keys, multiple X windows (`screens' to Emacs), a new input system, and buffer allocation, which uses a new mechanism capable of returning storage to the system when a buffer is killed.

  The input stream is now a sequence of arbitrary Lisp objects, instead of a sequence of characters. This allows a reasonable representation for mouse clicks, function keys, menu selections, etc.

  Thanks go to Alan Carroll and the people who worked on Epoch for generating initial feedback to a multi-windowed Emacs, and to Eric Raymond for help in polishing the Emacs 19 Lisp libraries.

  Emacs 18 maintenance continues for simple bug fixes.

- C Compiler

  The GNU C compiler (GCC) Version 1.40 is current; 1.41 is expected soon. GCC supports ANSI standard C.

  Version 1 is stable, but still maintained with bug fixes. It supports these CPU types: 680x0, Vax, 32x32, 80[34]86, Sparc (Sun-4), SPUR, Convex, MIPS, Tahoe, Pyramid, and Alliant. It supports both `a.out` and COFF format object files when used with a suitable assembler.

  Version 2 of GCC is in beta test (see "Contents of the Experimental Tape"). New front ends are being developed, but they are not part of GCC yet. A front end for Ada is being funded through the Ada 9X standards committee. Since it is a quite complex language we expect completion to take a while. A front end for Fortran is now being integrated, but this will also not be available soon. Volunteers are developing front ends for Modula 3 and Pascal. There are mumblings about other languages, but no one has volunteered to do Cobol yet.

- Binutils

  Steve Chamberlain and others at Cygnus Support have re-written the binary utilities (including the linker). These are now based on the same Binary File Descriptor library used by GDB. All the tools can be run on a host that differs from the target (e.g. cross-linking is supported). Furthermore, various forms of COFF and other object file formats are supported. A tool can deal with object files in multiple forms at once. For example, the linker can read object files using two different formats, and write the output in a third format. The linker interprets a superset of the AT&T Linker Command Language, which allows very general control over where segments are placed in memory.

  Version 1.94 is currently in beta test. Major changes are not expected. Per Bothner, `bothner@cygnus.com`, coordinates the release.

- C Library

  Roland McGrath continues to work on the C Library. It now conforms to ANSI C-1989 and POSIX.1-1990, and work is in progress on POSIX.2 and Unix functions (BSD and System V). In the Hurd, it will do much of what the system calls do in Unix. Roland is working on this code and has written alot of it already. Mike Haertel has written a fast `malloc` which wastes less memory than the old GNU `malloc`. The GNU regular-expression functions (`regex`) now mostly conform to the POSIX.2 standard. A manual for the library (including the "system calls") is mostly written.

  GNU `stdio` lets you define new kinds of streams, just by writing a few C functions. The `fmemopen` function uses this to open a stream on a string, which can grow as necessary. You can define your own `printf` formats to use a C function you write; and there is a way to safely use format strings from user input, for example to implement a `printf`-like function for another programming language. Extended `getopt` functions are already used to parse options, including long options, in many GNU utilities.

  Version 1.03 runs on Sun-3 & Sun-4 (SunOS 4.1) and HP 9000/300 (4.3 BSD). Version 1.04 will include a complete port for MIPS DECstations (Ultrix 4.2), and improved support for the i386/i486 (System V & BSD).

- GNU Debugger

  The GNU source-level C and C`++` debugger, GDB, is now being distributed along with the GNU C Compiler.

  GDB Version 4.5 is in beta test. New machine ports include the IBM RS6000, AMD 29000, and Intel 960. Object files and symbol tables are now read via a Binary File Descriptor library, which allows a single copy of GDB to debug programs of multiple object file types such as `a.out` and COFF. Other new features include improvements to the command language, watchpoints (breakpoints triggered when the value of an expression changes), exception handling (when used with GCC Version 2) and support for SunOS shared libraries and C`++` multiple inheritance.

- JACAL

  Aubrey Jaffer is preparing a new release of JACAL, a symbolic mathematics system for the simplification and manipulation of equations and single and multiple valued algebraic expressions constructed of numbers, variables, radicals, radical, and algebraic functions, differential and finite differential operators, and holonomic functions. In addition, vectors and matrices of the above objects are included.

  JACAL runs under either Common Lisp or Scheme. A version of Scheme (IEEE P1178 and R4RS compliant) written in C comes with JACAL. It runs under VMS, MS-DOS, Unix, and similar systems. Pre-release source is available for anonymous FTP from `martigny.ai.mit.edu` under ``/archive/scm'` in ``jacal0-4.tar.Z'` and ``scm3c13.tar.Z'`.

  The FSF is not distributing JACAL on tape yet. To receive an IBM PC floppy disk with the source and executable files send $60.00 ($65.00 for i386) to: Aubrey Jaffer, 84 Pleasant St., Wakefield MA 01880 USA.

- Ghostscript

  The current version of Ghostscript is 2.4.1. Features include: the ability to specify device resolution and output file (including piping) from the command line; many new output devices and file formats, including PBM/PGM/PPM, GIF, and PCX; many more Postscript Level 2 facilities; improved character rendering; and incorporation of the standard Adobe metrics into the Ghostscript fonts.

  Ghostscript 2.4.1 accepts commands in Postscript and executes them by drawing on an X window, writing a file that you can print directly, or writing directly to a printer. GNU volunteer Tim Theisen, `ghostview@cs.wisc.edu`, has created a previewer for multi-page files, called Ghostview, on top of Ghostscript.

  Ghostscript includes a C-callable graphics library (for client programs that do not want to deal with the Postscript language). It also supports IBM PCs and compatibles with EGA, VGA, or SuperVGA graphics (but do not ask the FSF staff any questions about this; we do not use PCs).

- groff

  James Clark has completed `groff` (GNU `troff` and related programs). Version 1.05 is now available (see "Contents of Utilities Tape"). `groff` is written in C`++`. It can be compiled with GNU C`++` Version 1.40.3 or later.

  Future bugs in `groff` will be fixed, but no new development is currently planned. However, `groff` users are encouraged to continue to contribute enhancements. Most needed are complete Texinfo documentation, a `grap` emulation (a `pic` preprocessor for typesetting graphs), a page-makeup postprocessor similar to `pm` (see Computing Systems, Vol 2, No. 2), and an ASCII output class for `pic` so that `pic` can be integrated with Texinfo.

  James would like to thank everybody who has contributed bug reports. Please continue to send them to `bug-groff@prep.ai.mit.edu`

- GNU Graphics

  GNU Graphics is a set of programs which produce plots from ASCII or binary data. It supports output to Tektronix 4010, Postscript, and the X Window system or compatible devices.

  A new version of GNU Graphics has begun alpha testing. Improvements include: a revised manual; new features in `graph`, `xplot` and `plot2ps`; support for output in ln03 and TekniCAD TDA file formats; a replacement for the `spline` program; examples of shell scripts using `graph` and `plot`; the addition of a statistics toolkit; and the use of `configure` for installation.

  Existing ports need retesting. Contact Rich Murphey, `Rich@rice.edu`, if you can help test/port it to anything other than a SPARCstation.

- Texinfo 2

  The Texinfo 2 package includes an enhanced Texinfo mode for GNU Emacs, new versions of the formatting utilities, and the second edition of the Texinfo Manual (which is more complete than the first edition and describes over 50 new commands). Texinfo mode now includes commands for automatically creating and updating nodes and menus, a tedious task when done by hand. New utilities include `makeinfo`, a standalone formatter, and `info`, a standalone Info reader. Both are written in C and are independent of GNU Emacs. Texinfo 2 is in late beta test.

# A GNU Standard on Suns?

@indent Sun Microsystems was one of the pioneers of so-called "open systems". They are now leading the industry in a new way: they are the first major Unix workstation vendor to announce that they will not ship a C compiler with their Unix operating system. Other Unix workstation vendors have announced that they will follow suit.

Sun's decision to remove their compiler has created a unique opportunity to make GNU C the new standard C compiler for Sun workstations. Cygnus Support, in cooperation with the Free Software Foundation and other free software developers, has announced plans to port GNU C and other required software (GNU `as`, `gdb`, and possibly `ld`) to the Solaris platform.

Cygnus is looking for 150 subscribers, each of them to contribute $2000 (about the cost of a compiler license from Sun for three CPUs), to fund the necessary work. (Subscribers will also get commercial support for a year.) The results, when completed, will be free software like the rest of the GNU system. Also, $75,000 of the funds raised is to be donated to the FSF.

This is the first attempt to raise funds for free software development by asking for users to subscribe in advance. For more info, contact Cygnus Support at (415) 322-3811 or send mail to `solaris-compiler@cygnus.com`.

# Andrew Toolkit Stays Free

The Andrew Toolkit is both an extensible, object-oriented toolkit for graphical user interfaces and a package of applications. The most widely-used application is the Andrew Message System (AMS). The Toolkit is distributed on FSF's `optional' X Windows tape.

Not long ago, several people asked whether the Toolkit would stay free. It will. The Andrew Toolkit Consortium plans to continue to make versions of the Toolkit and the AMS freely usable and distributable. However, there is (as there has always been) a catch: members of the Consortium get updates sooner and more frequently than the rest of us. This provides Consortium members with another incentive to continue as members.

# GNU in Japan

Mieko, `h-mieko@sra.co.jp`, and Nobuyuki Hikichi, `hikichi@sra.co.jp`, continue to work on the GNU Project in Japan. They translate GNU information, write columns, request donations, and consult about GNU. They have translated Version 1 of the GNU General Public License into Japanese.

Japanese versions of Emacs and Epoch are available. Both of them, `nemacs` (Nihongo Emacs) and `nepoch` (Nihongo Epoch), are widely used in Japan.

Mule (the MULtilingual Enhancement of GNU Emacs) is a version of Emacs that can handle many character sets at once. Eventually, the features it provides will be merged into the FSF version of Emacs. Ken'ichi Handa, `handa@etl.go.jp`, is beta testing MULE; you can FTP sources from `sh.wide.ad.jp:/JAPAN/mule` or `etlport.etl.go.jp:/pub/mule`.

If you can, please order GNU software directly from the FSF--every 150 tape orders allows FSF to hire a programmer for a year to create more free software. Otherwise, many groups in Japan are distributing GNU software, including JUG (a PC user group), Nikkei Business Publications and ASCII (publishers), and the Fujitsu FM Towns users group. Anonymous UUCP is also now available in Japan; for more information contact `toku@dit.co.jp`. The FSF does not distribute `nemacs` or `nepoch`.

The Village Center, Inc. has printed a Japanese translation of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual and also uploaded the Texinfo source to various bulletin boards. They are donating part of the revenue generated by distributing the manual to FSF. Their address is: Kanda Amerex Bldg. 2F 1-16, 3-Chome, Misaki-Cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101.

A group connected with the commercial personal computer network in Japan is writing and distributing a copylefted hardware (circuit diagram) design and associated software that uses a MIPS-architecture based CPU. The OS, called `t2`, is a subset of Unix using GCC and GDB as the system's compiler and debugger.

### GNU Software Support Company in Japan

People in Japan can now contact a company for GNU software support; the company is named Wingnut (Fax only: +81-3-3954-5174). The organizers were inspired by the GNU Manifesto. Wingnut will provide two services: porting and customizing GNU software, and answering technical questions (including how to install the software).

> "In computer science, we stand on each other's feet."

--anonymous

# GNU Documentation

GNU manuals are intended to explain the underlying concepts, describe how to use all the features of each program, and give examples of command use. GNU documentation is distributed as Texinfo source files, which yield both typeset hardcopy and on-line hypertext-like presentation via the menu-driven Info system. The manuals, provided with our software, are also available in hardcopy; see the "FSF Order Form" inside the back cover.

The Emacs Manual describes the use of GNU Emacs. It also explains advanced features, such as outline mode and regular expression search, and how to use special modes for programming in languages like C and Lisp.

The Emacs Lisp Reference Manual covers the GNU Emacs Lisp programming language in great depth, including data types, control structures, functions, macros, syntax tables, searching and matching, modes, windows, keymaps, byte compilation, markers, and the operating system interface.

The Emacs Calc Manual includes both a tutorial and a reference manual for Calc. It describes how to do ordinary arithmetic, how to use Calc for algebra, calculus, and other forms of mathematics, and how to extend Calc.

The Texinfo Manual explains the markup language used to generate both the online Info documentation and hardcopies. It tells you how to make tables, lists, chapters, nodes, indexes, cross references, how to use Texinfo mode in GNU Emacs and how to catch mistakes.

The GDB Manual explains how to use the GNU Debugger, including how to run your program under debugger control, how to examine and alter data, how to modify the flow of control within the program, and how to use GDB through GNU Emacs.

The GAWK Manual describes how to use the GNU implementation of `awk`. It is written for someone who has never used `awk` and describes all the features of this powerful string manipulation language.

The Bison Manual teaches how to write context-free grammars that convert into C coded parsers. You need no prior knowledge of parser generators.

The Make Manual describes GNU `make`, a program used to rebuild parts of other programs. The manual covers makefile writing, which specifies how a program is to be compiled and its dependencies.

The Termcap Manual, often described as "Twice as much as you ever wanted to know about Termcap," details the format of the `termcap` database, the definitions of terminal capabilities, and the process of interrogating a terminal description. This manual is primarily for programmers.

# Project Gutenberg Looks for Volunteers

Project Gutenberg encourages the creation and distribution of English language electronic texts. Their goal is to provide a collection of 10,000 of the most used books by 2001. They need a few volunteers to help find copyright information about the books they wish to use as sources for electronic editions.

If you want to help with this (or in any other way), please contact Mary Brandt Jensen at `mjensen@charlie.usd.EDU` or (605) 677-6363.

# Project GNU Wish List

Wishes for this issue are for:

- Volunteers to distribute this Bulletin at trade shows and technical conferences. Please call the phone number on the front cover to make arrangements.

- One 386 or 486 PC-AT compatible with at least 200 meg of hard disk and an Ethernet card.

- A Sun QIC-150 cartridge tape drive; a 300`+` meg SCSI disk for a Sun-3; a 300`+` meg SCSI disk for a SONY News workstation; a floppy disk copying and verification machine; a 19" equipment rack; an Exabyte tape drive; Sun-3 workstations; core memory for and a board to add a monochrome monitor alongside a color monitor for a Sun-4/110 workstation; and hard disks for IBM RTs.

- Companies to lend us capable programmers and technical writers for at least six months. True wizards may be welcome for shorter periods, but we have found that six months is the minimum time for a good programmer to finish a worthwhile project.

- Professors who might be interested in sponsoring or hosting research assistants to do GNU development, with FSF support.

- Volunteers to help write programs and documentation. Send mail to `gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu` for the task list and coding standards.

- Speech and character recognition software (if the devices aren't too weird), with the device drivers if possible. This would help the productivity of a few partially disabled programmers we know.

- New quotes and ideas for articles in the GNU's Bulletin. We particularly like to highlight organizations involved with free information exchange.

- Copies of newspaper and journal articles mentioning the GNU Project or GNU software. Send these to the address on the front cover, or send a citation to `gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu`.

- Money, as always. Please remember, donations are tax-deductible. With the latest donations, we have been able to expand our staff again. With the increased staff we have an even greater need for donations.

  One way to give us a small amount of money is to order a distribution tape or two. This may not count as a donation for tax purposes, but it can qualify as a business expense.

# Please Support Free Software

If you believe in free software and you want to make sure there is more in the future---please support the efforts of the FSF with a donation!

Your tax-deductible donation will greatly help us reach our goals.

    $500    $250    $100    $50     other $______

    Foreign currency:______

Circle the amount you are donating, tear off this page, and send it with your donation to:

    		 Free Software Foundation, 675 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA   02139   USA

# How to Get GNU Software

All the software and publications from the Free Software Foundation are distributed with permission to copy and redistribute. The easiest way to get GNU software is to copy it from someone else who has it.

If you have Internet access, you can get the latest software via anonymous FTP from the host `prep.ai.mit.edu` (the IP address is `18.71.0.38`). Get file ``/pub/gnu/GETTING.GNU.SOFTWARE'` for more information.

If you cannot get the software one of these ways, or would like to contribute some funds to our efforts and receive the latest versions, we distribute tapes for a copying and distribution fee (see the "FSF Order Form").

There are also third party groups that distribute our software: they do not work with us, but have our software in other forms. For your convenience we list some of them here (also see "Free Software for Microcomputers"). Please note that the Free Software Foundation is not affiliated with them in any way and is not responsible for either the currency of their versions or the swiftness of their responses.

These TCP/IP Internet sites provide GNU software via anonymous FTP (program: `ftp`, user: `anonymous`, password: your name, mode: `binary`):

    archie.au, ftp.eu.net, wuarchive.wustl.edu, uxc.cso.uiuc.edu,
    ftp.stacken.kth.se, sunic.sunet.se, isy.liu.se, ugle.unit.no,
    ftp.win.tue.nl, ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de, ftp.diku.dk,
    utsun.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp, labrea.stanford.edu, jaguar.cs.utah.edu,
    cc.utah.edu (VMS GNU Emacs), ftp.eunet.ch, nic.funet.fi,
    gatekeeper.dec.com, mango.rsmas.miami.edu (VMS GCC),
    ftp.cs.titech.ac.jp, and ftp.uu.net (under `/packages/gnu').

Those on the SPAN network can ask `rdss::corbet`.

Those on JANET can look under `src.doc.ic.ac.uk:/gnu`.

You can get some GNU programs via UUCP. Ohio State University posts their UUCP instructions regularly to newsgroup `comp.sources.d` on USENET. The following people will send you information via electronic mail:

    hao!scicom!qetzal!upba!ugn!nepa!denny, uunet!hutch!barber,
    uunet!src@scuzzi.in-berlin.org, james@bigtex.cactus.org,
    acornrc!bob, uucp@cis.ohio-state.edu, and info@ftp.uu.net

For those without Internet access, see the section entitled "Free Software Support" for information on receiving electronic mail via UUCP.

# GNU Software Available Now

We offer Unix software source distribution tapes in `tar` format on the following media: 1600 bpi 9-track reel tape, 8mm Exabyte cartridges, Sun QIC-24 cartridges, Hewlett-Packard 16-track cartridges, and IBM RS/6000 1/4" cartridges (an Emacs binary is also on the RS/6000 tape). We also offer VMS tapes for GNU Emacs and the GNU C compiler that include sources and VMS executables.

The contents of the various 9-track and cartridge tapes for UNIX systems are the same (except for the RS/6000 Emacs tape). Only the media are different (see the "FSF Order Form"). Documentation comes in Texinfo format. The GNU software tapes include both `texinfo.tex` and `texi2roff`.

Version numbers listed by program names were current at the time this Bulletin was published. When you order a distribution tape, some of the programs might be newer, and therefore the version number higher.

### Contents of the Emacs Tape

The software on this release tape is considered fairly stable, but as always, we welcome your bug reports. Some of the software that has been on this tape in the past has moved to the Languages and Utilities tapes.

- GNU Emacs 18.58

  In 1975, Richard Stallman developed the first Emacs, an extensible, customizable real-time display editor. GNU Emacs is his second implementation. It's the first Emacs for Unix systems that offers true Lisp--smoothly integrated into the editor--for writing extensions, and provides a special interface to MIT's X window system. In addition to its powerful native command set, extensions which emulate other popular editors are distributed: vi, EDT (DEC VMS editor), and Gosling (aka Unipress) Emacs. It is described by the GNU Emacs Manual and the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual, which come with the software. A reference card is available.

  GNU Emacs 18.58 runs on many Unix systems: Alliant, Altos 3068, Amdahl (UTS), Apollo, AT&T (3B machines & 7300 PC), Aviion, CCI 5/32 & 6/32, Celerity, Convex, Digital (DECstation 3100 & 5000, Vax (BSD, System V, or VMS)), Motorola Delta (System V/68 release 3), Dual, Elxsi 6400, Encore (DPC, APC, & XPC), Gould, HP (9000 series 200, 300, 700, & 800, but not series 500), HLH Orion 1/05, IBM (RT/PC (4.2 & AIX), PS/2 (AIX (386 only)) & RS/6000 (AIX)), Integrated Solutions (Optimum V with 68020 & VMEbus), Intel 80386 (BSD, Microport, System V, Xenix & PS/2 (for MS-DOS see "Free Software for Microcomputers")), Iris (2500, 2500 Turbo, & 4D), LMI (Nu), Masscomp, MIPS, National Semiconductor 32000, NCR (Tower 32), Nixdorf Targon 31, Plexus, Pmax, Prime EXL, Sequent (Balance & Symmetry), SONY News, Stride (system release 2), all Suns (including 386i), Stardent 1500 & 3000, Tahoe, Tandem Integrity S2, Tektronix (NS32000 & 4300), Texas Instruments (Nu), Titan P2 & P3, Ustation E30 (SS5E), & Whitechapel (MG1).

- GNU Calc 2.02

  Calc (written by Dave Gillespie in Emacs Lisp) is an extensible, advanced desk calculator and mathematical tool that runs as part of GNU Emacs. It comes with the Calc Manual, which serves as a tutorial and a reference. If you wish, you can use Calc only as a simple four-function calculator, but it provides additional features including choice of algebraic or RPN (stack-based) entry, logarithms, trigonometric and financial functions, arbitrary precision, complex numbers, vectors, matrices, dates, times, infinities, sets, algebraic simplification, differentiation, and integration.

- MIT Scheme 7.0 and Yale T 3.1

  T is a variant of Scheme developed at Yale University; it is intended for production use in program development. T contains a native-code optimizing compiler that produces code that runs at speeds comparable to the speeds of programs written in conventional languages. It runs on BSD Vaxen, 680x0 systems, Sparcs, and MIPS R2000 workstations (including the DECstation 3100), & NS32000 machines (including the Encore Multimax). T is written in itself and cannot be bootstrapped without a binary (included), but it is great if you can use it. Some documentation is included.

- Texinfo 2.14, `texi2roff` 2.0

  Texinfo is a set of utilities that generate printed manuals and online hypertext-style manuals (called `Info'). The late beta-test Texinfo package contains enhancements to the current suite and a manual.

  `texi2roff`, written by Beverly Erlebacher, translates GNU Texinfo files so that they can be printed by the `[gnt]roff` programs utilizing the `-mm`, `-ms`, or `-me` macro packages. It is included on all UNIX tapes so people without TeX (but who have `[gnt]roff`) can print out GNU documentation.

- Data Compression Software

  Some of the contents of our tape distribution are compressed, which is currently indicated by a ``.Z'` suffix. We include software on the tapes to compress/decompress these files. Due to patent troubles with `compress`, we will be switching to another compression algorithm--as soon as we find one that is safe. The online distribution on `prep.ai.mit.edu` will be changed first to give the new program a trial period. Each tape includes the program that will uncompress the compressed files on it.

### Contents of the Languages Tape

This tape contains programming language tools: compilers, interpreters, and related programs (parsers, conversion programs, debuggers, etc.). Many of these programs were on the Compiler tape, which no longer exists.

- GCC 1.40

  The GNU C compiler is a fairly portable optimizing compiler which performs automatic register allocation, common sub-expression elimination, invariant code motion from loops, induction variable optimizations, constant propagation and copy propagation, delayed popping of function call arguments, tail recursion elimination, integration of inline functions, and frame pointer elimination, plus many local optimizations that are automatically deduced from the machine description.

  GCC supports full ANSI C. It generates good code for the 32000, 680x0, 80386, Alliant, Convex, Tahoe & Vax CPUs, and for these RISC CPUs: i860, Pyramid, Sparc, & SPUR. The MIPS RISC CPU is also supported. Other supported systems include: 386 (AIX), Alliant FX/8, Altos 3068, Apollo 68000/68020 (Aegis), AT&T 3B1, Convex C1 & C2, DECstation 3100 & 5000, DEC VAX, Encore MultiMax (NS32000), Genix NS32000, Harris HCX-7 & HCX-9, HP-UX 68000/68020, HP (BSD), IBM PS/2 (AIX), Intel 386 (System V, Xenix, BSD, but not MS-DOS), Iris MIPS machine, ISI 68000/68020, MIPS, NeXT, Pyramid, Sequent Balance (NS32000), Sequent Symmetry (i386), SONY News, Sun (2, 3 (optionally with FPA), 4, SPARCstation, & Sun-386i). See "Project GNU Status Report" for more details.

  A good programmer will be able to make a cross compiler on most of these systems to cross-compile to most of these architectures. Most of the work will be with the compiler support tools, not GCC itself.

  The GCC Manual is included with the compiler. The manual (not yet on our order form) describes how to run and install the GNU C compiler, and how to port it to new processors. It describes new features and incompatibilities of the compiler, but people not familiar with C will also need a good book on the C programming language.

- G`++` 1.40.3, `libg`++`` 1.39.0, and NIH Class Library 2.204a

  G`++` is a set of changes for GCC that compiles C`++`, the well-known object-oriented language. As far as possible, G`++` is kept compatible with the evolving draft ANSI standard, but not with `cfront` (the AT&T compiler), as `cfront` has been diverging from ANSI. G`++` comes with the GNU G`++` Users Guide (not yet published on paper). G`++` compiles source quickly, provides good error messages, and works well with GDB. As G`++` depends on GCC, it must be used with a specific numbered version of GCC.

  The GNU C`++` library, `libg``++`, is an extensive, documented collection of C`++` classes and support tools for use with G`++`.

  The NIH Class Library (formerly known as "OOPS", Object-Oriented Program Support) is a portable collection of classes similar to those in Smalltalk-80 that has been developed by Keith Gorlen of NIH, using the C`++` programming language.

- GAS 1.38.1, binutils 1.9, `dld` 3.2.3, and COFF Support

  The GNU assembler (GAS) is a fairly portable, one pass assembler that is almost twice as fast as Unix `as` and works for 32x32, 680x0, 80386, Sparc (Sun-4), and Vaxen.

  We have free versions of `ar`, `gprof`, `ld`, `nm`, `ranlib`, `size`, and `strip`. The GNU linker `ld` is fast, and the only linker with source-line numbered error messages for multiply-defined symbols and undefined references.

  `dld` is a dynamic linker written by W. Wilson Ho. You link your program with the `dld` library which enables your program to load object files dynamically into the running binary.

  The entire suite of GNU software tools can be run on System V, replacing COFF entirely. The GNU tools can operate on BSD object files with a COFF header the System V kernel will accept. `robotussin` is supplied for converting standard libraries to this format.

- `flex` 2.3.7 and Bison 1.18

  `flex` is a mostly-compatible replacement for the Unix `lex` scanner generator, written by Vern Paxson of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. `flex` generates far more efficient scanners than `lex` does.

  Bison is an upwardly compatible replacement for the parser generator `yacc`, with additional features. The Bison Manual comes with the software.

- `make` 3.62, GDB 3.5, and `indent` 1.2

  GNU `make` has most of the features of the BSD and System V versions of `make` as well as many of our own extensions, and complies with POSIX.2. GNU extensions include parallelism, conditional execution, and text manipulation. Version 3.62 of GNU `make` is fairly stable. The Make Manual comes with the source.

  GDB 3.5, the GNU debugger, runs under BSD 4.2/4.3 on Vaxen and Suns (2, 3, 4, & SPARCstation), Altos, Convex, HP 9000/370 (BSD), HP 9000/320 (HP/UX), System V 386 systems (with either GNU or native object file format), ISI Optimum V, Merlin under Utek 2.1, SONY News, Gould NPL & PN machines, Pyramid, Sequent Symmetry (a 386-based machine), and Encore under Umax 4.2.

  GDB features incremental reading of symbol tables (for fast startup and less memory use), command-line editing, interactive function calling in the program being debugged, remote debugging over a serial line, a value history, and user-defined commands. It can be used to debug C, C`++`, and Fortran programs. The GDB Manual includes a reference card.

  `indent` is the GNU modified version of the freely-redistributable BSD program. It formats C source according to GNU coding standards by default, though the original default and other formats are available as options.

- GAWK 2.13.2, Smalltalk 1.1.1, and `perl` 4.019

  GAWK is upwardly compatible with the System V Release 4 version of `awk`. The GAWK Manual comes with the software.

  GNU Smalltalk is an interpreted object-oriented programming language system written in portable C. Features include an incremental garbage collector, a binary image save capability, the ability to invoke user-written C code and pass parameters to it, a GNU Emacs editing mode, optional byte code compilation tracing and byte code execution tracing, and automatically loaded per-user initialization files.

  Larry Wall has written a fast program called `perl`, which combines the features of `sed`, `awk`, `sh`, and C. It has all of the capabilities of the aforementioned programs as well as TCP/IP socket-manipulation facilities, interfaces to various other system calls, and C library routines.

- `gperf` 2.1, `ae`, and `f2c` 3.2.90

  `gperf` is a "perfect" hash-table generation utility. There are actually two versions of `gperf`, one written in C and one in C`++`. Both will produce hash functions in either C or C`++`.

  `ae` works with GCC to produce more complete profiling information.

  `f2c` converts Fortran--77 source files into C or C`++`.

- `gdbm` 1.5 and `gmp` 1.2

  The `gdbm` library is the GNU replacement for the standard `dbm` and `ndbm` libraries. `gdbm` supports both styles but does not need sparse database formats (unlike its Unix counterparts).

  GNU MP (`gmp`) is a library for arbitrary precision arithmetic, operating on signed integers and rational numbers. It has a rich set of functions, all with a regular interface.

- `texi2roff` 2.0, and Texinfo 2.14

  These packages are the same as the ones on the Emacs tape.

### Contents of the Utilities Tape

This tape includes the programs written by the GNU project (as well as some third-party software) that are not on the other two tapes. For the most part, they consist of smaller utilities and miscellaneous applications. As usual, bug reports are welcome. Many of these programs were on the old Emacs tape and the now defunct Compiler tape.

- BASH 1.12, `groff` 1.05, and `gptx` 0.2

  The GNU Shell, BASH (for Bourne Again SHell), is compatible with the Unix `sh` and offers many extensions found in `csh` and `ksh`. BASH has job control, `csh`-style command history, and command-line editing (with Emacs and `vi` modes built-in and the ability to rebind keys). BASH should compile on most systems.

  `groff` is a document formatting system, which includes implementations of `troff`, `pic`, `eqn`, `tbl`, `refer`, the `-man`, `-ms`, and `-mm` macros, as well as drivers for Postscript, TeX dvi format, and typewriter-like devices. Also included is a modified version of the Berkeley `-me` macros and an enhanced version of the `X11` `xditview` previewer.

  `gptx` is the GNU version of `ptx`, a permuted index generator. Among other things, it can produce readable "KWIC" (KeyWords In their Context) without the need of `nroff`, and there is an option to produce TeX-compatible output.

- `texi2roff` 2.0, Texinfo 2.14, and `make` 3.62

  `texi2roff` and Texinfo are the same as the ones on the Emacs tape. `make` is the same as the one on the Languages tape.

- `tar` 1.10 and `cpio` 1.5

  GNU `tar` includes multivolume support, the ability to archive sparse files, automatic archive compression/decompression, remote archives, and special features to allow `tar` to be used for incremental and full backups.

  `cpio` is an alternative archive format to `tar`.

- `diff` 1.15, `grep`/`egrep` 1.5, `fgrep` 1.1, and `patch` 2.0.12u6

  The `diff` and `[ef]grep` programs are GNU's versions of the Unix programs of the same name. They are much faster than the traditional Unix versions. `patch` is Larry Wall's program to take `diff`'s output and apply those differences to an original file to generate the patched version.

- RCS 5.6 and CVS 1.3

  The Revision Control System, RCS, is used for version control and management of software projects. When used with GNU `diff`, later versions of RCS can handle binary files (executables, object files, 8-bit data, etc). The Concurrent Version System, CVS, manages software revision and release control in a multi-developer, multi-directory, multi-group environment. It works best on top of RCS Versions 4 and above, but will parse older RCS formats with the loss of CVS's fancier features. See Berliner, Brian, "CVS-II: Parallelizing Software Development," Proceedings of the Winter 1990 USENIX Association Conference.

- `find` 3.5, fileutils 3.2, shellutils 1.6, and textutils 1.3

  `find` is used frequently both interactively and in shell scripts to find files that match certain criteria and perform arbitrary operations on them.

  The "fileutils" are file manipulation utilities: `chgrp`, `chmod`, `chown`, `cp`, `dd`, `df`, `du`, `install`, `ln`, `ls`, `mkdir`, `mkfifo`, `mknod`, `mv`, `mvdir`, `rm`, `rmdir`, and `touch`. The "shellutils" are small commands used on the command line or in shell scripts: `basename`, `date`, `dirname`, `env`, `expr`, `groups`, `id`, `logname`, `nice`, `nohup`, `pathchk`, `printenv`, `printf`, `sleep`, `stty`, `tee`, `test`, `tty`, `uname`, `whoami`, and `yes`. The "textutils" programs manipulate textual data: `cat`, `cmp`, `comm`, `csplit`, `cut`, `expand`, `fold`, `head`, `join`, `nl`, `paste`, `pr`, `sort`, `split`, `sum`, `tac`, `tail`, `tr`, `unexpand`, `uniq`, and `wc`.

- Ghostscript 2.4.1, Ghostview 1.3, fontutils 0.4, and `gnuplot` 3.1

  Ghostscript is GNU's graphics language that is almost fully compatible with Postscript (see "Project GNU Status Report"). Ghostview provides an X11 user interface for the Ghostscript interpreter. Ghostview and Ghostscript function as two cooperating programs--Ghostview creates the viewing window and Ghostscript draws in it.

  The "fontutils" can create fonts for use with Ghostscript or TeX, starting with a scanned type image and converting the bitmaps to outlines. They also contain general conversion programs and other utilities.

  `gnuplot` is an interactive program for plotting mathematical expressions and data. Oddly enough, the program was neither written nor named for the GNU Project--the name is a coincidence.

- `m4` 1.0, `sed` 1.08, and `bc` 1.02

  GNU `m4` is an implementation of the traditional Unix macroprocessor and is mostly System V Release 4 compatible, although it has some extensions. For example, it handles more than 9 positional parameters to macros. `m4` also has built-in functions for including files, running shell commands, doing arithmetic, etc.

  `sed` is a stream-oriented version of `ed`, used to manipulate text.

  `bc` is an interactive algebraic language with arbitrary precision. GNU `bc` was implemented from the POSIX P1003.2 draft standard, but it has several extensions including multiple character variable names, an `else` statement, and full boolean expressions.

- `elvis` 1.5, `screen` 2.1c, and `less` 177

  `elvis` is a clone of the `vi`/`ex` Unix editor. It supports nearly all of the `vi`/`ex` commands in both visual and line mode. `elvis` runs under BSD, System V, Xenix, Minix, MS-DOS, Atari TOS, and should be easily ported to many other systems.

  `screen` is a terminal multiplexor that allows you to handle several independent "screens" (ttys) on a single physical terminal. Each virtual terminal emulates a DEC VT100 plus several ANSI X3.64 and ISO 2022 functions.

  `less` is a paginator similar to `more` and `pg` but with various features (such as the ability to scroll backwards) that most pagers lack.

- `time` 1.3, `tput` 1.0, and Termcap 1.0

  `time` is used to report statistics (usually from a shell) about the amount of user, system, and approximate real time used by a process.

  `tput` is a portable way to allow shell scripts to use special terminal capabilities. It uses the `termcap` database, rather than the usual `terminfo`.

  The GNU Termcap library is a drop-in replacement for `libtermcap.a` on any system. It does not place an arbitrary limit on the size of `termcap` entries, unlike most other `termcap` libraries. Included is extensive documentation in Texinfo format.

- MandelSpawn 0.06, GNU Chess 3.1, NetHack 3.0, and GnuGo 1.1

  MandelSpawn is a parallel Mandelbrot program for the X window system. GNU Chess has text and X display interfaces. NetHack is a display oriented adventure game similar to Rogue. GnuGo plays the game of Go (Wei-Chi); it is not yet very sophisticated.

### Contents of the Experimental Tape

This tape includes software that is currently in beta test. Some of the software already has released versions on the distribution tapes. It is available for people who are feeling adventurous. This tape is being offered for a limited time; as the programs become stable, they will replace older versions on other tapes. Please send bug reports to the appropriate addresses (listed on the tape in the notes for each program).

- GCC 2.1

  New features in GCC Version 2 include instruction scheduling, loop unrolling, filling of delay slots, leaf function optimization, optimized multiplication by constants, and a certain amount of common subexpression elimination (CSE) between basic blocks. (Not all of the supported machine descriptions provide for scheduling or delay slots.) Function-wide CSE has been written, but needs to be cleaned up before it can be installed. Position-independent code is supported on the 88000 and Sparc, and soon perhaps on the 680x0.

  GCC 2 can also open-code most arithmetic on 64-bit values (type `long long int`). It can generate code for most of the same machines as Version 1, plus the IBM PC/RT, the IBM RS/6000, the Motorola 88000, the Acorn RISC machine, the AMD 29000 and the HP-PA (700 or 800). Ports for the IBM 370, the Intel 960, and the NCUBE are on their way. Version 2 can generate `a.out`, COFF, Elf, and OSF/Rose files when used with a suitable assembler. GCC 2 can produce debugging information in several formats: BSD stabs, COFF, ECOFF, ECOFF with stabs symbols, and Dwarf (debugging on the RS/6000 is not yet supported).

  Not all of the Version 1 machine descriptions have been updated yet; some do not work, and others need work to take full advantage of instruction scheduling and delay slots. The old machine descriptions for the Pyramid, Alliant, Tahoe, and Spur (as well as a new port for the Tron) do not work, but are still included in the distribution in case you want to work on them.

  In GCC 2, using the new configuration scheme, building a cross-compiler is as easy as building a compiler for the same target machine. GCC 2 also supports more general calling conventions: it can pass arguments "by reference" and can preallocate stack space arguments. On the Sparc it uses the standard conventions for structure arguments, but structure return values are still a problem. With luck, this too will be fixed soon.

  Version 2 of the compiler supports three languages: Objective C, C`++`, and C; the source file name selects the language. (The front end support for Objective C was donated by NeXT.) The runtime support needed to run Objective C programs is mostly working, but not available yet.

  C has been extended to support nested functions, nonlocal gotos, and taking the address of a label.

- GDB 4.5

  GDB 4 contains many new features since 3.5 (the version currently on the release tapes). They include remote debugging over serial lines or TCP/IP; watchpoints; more readable output and a simplified command interface; support of more binary formats (using BFD); limited debugging of C`++` (when using GCC 2); preliminary support for Modula-2 debugging (for the compiler being developed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, others will not work); and the ability to debug programs and core files that use SunOS shared libraries.

  GDB 4 can perform cross-debugging. To say that GDB 4 targets a platform means that it can perform native or cross-debugging for it. To say that GDB 4 can host a given platform means that it can be built on it, but cannot necessarily debug native programs. GDB 4 can:

  - target and host: Amiga 3000 (Amix), DECstation 3100 & 5000, HP 9000/370 (BSD), IBM RS/6000 (AIX), Motorola Delta 88000 (System V), NCR 3000 (SVR4), SGI Iris (MIPS running Irix V3 or V4), SONY News (NEWSOS 3.x), Sun-3, Sun-4, & Ultracomputer (29K running Sym1).

  - target, but not host: i960 Nindy & AMD 29000 (COFF or `a.out`).

  - host, but not target: Intel 386 (Mach) & IBM RT/PC.

  In addition, GDB 4 can understand the symbol tables emitted by the compilers supplied by most vendors of MIPS-based machines, including DEC. (These symbol tables are in a format which essentially nobody else uses.) Debugging of G`++` remains a problem, and GDB 4 won't work for any version of G`++` 1 at all.

- BFD

  The BFD (Binary File Descriptor) Library from Cygnus Software is a set of routines to make handling different object file formats more transparent to programs using them. Some GNU software is in the process of being converted to use it. BFD comes with documentation.

- GNU C Library 1.03

  The library is ANSI C and POSIX.1 compliant and has most of the functions specified in POSIX.2 draft 11.2. It is upward compatible with the 4.4 BSD C library and includes many System V functions, plus GNU extensions.

  The C library works on HP 9000 series 300s running 4.3 BSD and Sun-3 or Sun-4 systems running SunOS 4.1. Someone has built it successfully for an i860 cross-development environment. Porting is not hard.

- libg`++` 2.0

  This is the GNU C`++` library for GCC Version 2 (See "Contents of Languages Tape" for more info regarding libg`++`). The latest version tries to automatically configure itself, thus working out of the box on many hosts. The iostream facility has been improved.

- GNU Graphics 0.17

  See "Project GNU Status Report" for details.

### Contents of the X11 Tapes

The two X11 tapes contain Version 11, Release 5 of the MIT X window system. The first FSF tape contains all the core software, documentation, and some contributed clients. FSF refers to its first tape as the `required' X tape since it is necessary for running X or running GNU Emacs under X. The second, `optional,' FSF tape contains contributed libraries and other toolkits, the Andrew software, games, and other programs.

### Berkeley Networking 2 Tape

The Berkeley "Net2" release contains the second 4.3 BSD distribution and is newer than both 4.3BSD-Tahoe and 4.3BSD-Reno. It includes nearly the entire BSD software system except for a few utilities, some parts of the kernel, and some library routines which your own C library is likely to provide. This release contains much more software than the older releases, including third party software like Kerberos and some GNU software (for example, GCC, the standard BSD compiler). Except for kernel sources, the GNU Project has replacements on other tapes for most missing programs.

### VMS Emacs and Compiler Tapes

We offer two VMS tapes. One has just the GNU Emacs editor. The second contains the GNU C compiler, Bison (needed to compile GCC), `gas` (needed to assemble GCC's output), and some library and include files. We are not aware of a GDB port for VMS. Both VMS tapes have executables from which you can bootstrap, since the DEC VMS C compiler has bugs and cannot compile GCC.

Please do not ask us to devote effort to VMS support, because it is peripheral to the GNU Project.

# Free Software for Microcomputers

We do not provide support for GNU software on microcomputers because it is peripheral to the GNU Project. However, we are willing to publish information about groups who do so. If you are aware of any such efforts, please send the details, including postal addresses, archive sites, and mailing lists, to `gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu` or to the postal address on the front cover.

Please do not ask the Free Software Foundation about this microcomputer software. FSF does not maintain it, and has no more information about it.

- GNU Software not on Apple computers

  In lawsuits, Apple claims the power to stop people from writing any program that has a user interface that works even vaguely like the Macintosh's. If Apple triumphs in the courts, it will create for itself a new power over the public that will enable it to put an end to free software. So long as Apple continues to try to establish this kind of monopoly, we will not provide any support or software for Apple machines.

- Boston Computer Society

  The BCS has thousands of shareware and free programs for microcomputers, including some GNU programs. Contact them to see what is available for your machine: Boston Computer Society, 1 Kendall Square -- Bldg 1400, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA. Phone: (617) 252-0600.

- GNU Software on the Amiga

  Get Amiga ports of many GNU programs via anonymous FTP from: `karazm.math.uh.edu` in `/pub/Amiga/Gnu` (USA), `titan.ksc.nasa.gov` in `/pub/amiga` (USA), and `ftp.funet.fi` in `/pub/amiga/gnu` (Europe).

  For info on (or offers to help with) the GCC port and related projects, ask Leonard Norrgard, `vinsci@nic.funet.fi`. For info on the GNU Emacs port, ask Mark D. Henning, `henning@stolaf.edu`. Get more info via anonymous FTP in ``prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu/MicrosPorts/Amiga'`.

- GNU Software for Atari TOS and Atari Minix

  You can obtain Atari ports from `atari.archive.umich.edu` using anonymous FTP. Howard Chu, `hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov`, maintains the archive. Ports are discussed on USENET in `comp.sys.atari.st.tech` & `comp.sys.atari.st` (in order to get this group via e-mail, please ask `info-atari16-request@score.stanford.edu`).

- GNU C/C`++` 2.1 for OS/2 2.0

  Michael Johnson has completed a new, completely stand-alone port of the GNU C/C`++` Version 2.1 compiler for OS/2 2.0. The distribution contains C/C`++` compilers, the GNU assembler, the BSD C library and an OS/2-specific library, and documentation. It is available via anonymous FTP from `hobbes.nmsu.edu` in the directory ``/pub/os2/2.0/gnu/gcc21'`.

  Send a message to `os2gcc-request@charon.mit.edu` to be placed on a mailing list for discussion about this system.

- Linux: a free Unix system for 386 machines

  Linux (named after its author, Linus Torvalds) is a free Unix clone which implements a subset of System V and POSIX functionality. Linux has been written from scratch and does not contain any proprietary code in the kernel. A large number of the utilities and libraries are GNU software. Linux runs only on 386/486 AT-bus machines, and porting to non-Intel architectures is likely to be difficult as the kernel makes extensive use of 386 memory management and task primitives. Linux is freely distributable and available via anonymous FTP: `tsx-11.mit.edu:/pub/linux` (USA), and `nic.funet.fi:/pub/OS/Linux` (Europe).

  There is a newsgroup, `comp.os.linux`, for discussions about Linux. Ask `linux-activists-request@niksula.hut.fi` regarding the mailing lists.

- Free 386 BSD

  Experienced hackers may be interested in the alpha test version of a 386 port of BSD UNIX by William F. Jolitz et al. This kernel is free of AT&T code and is freely redistributable. You can obtain more information from `sokol@reyes.stanford.edu`. Note that this early version is not reliable, and has trouble booting on some systems.

- DJGPP, the GNU C/C`++` compiler for MS-DOS

  D. J. Delorie has ported GCC/G`++` to the 386 MS-DOS platform. The compiler and programs it generates run in 32-bit mode with full virtual memory support. DJGPP is available via FTP from `barnacle.erc.clarkson.edu` in ``/pub/msdos/djgpp'`. You can subscribe to a mailing list on DJGPP by sending your e-mail address to `djgpp-request@sun.soe.clarkson.edu`.

- Demacs, GNU Emacs for MS-DOS

  Manabu Higashida and Hirano Satoshi have released Demacs, a GNU Emacs port for 386/486 MS-DOS. Version is 1.2.0 is the first post-beta release. Demacs provides several DOS-specific features: support for binary or text file translation, "8bit clean" display mode, 80x86 software interrupt calls by an `int86` Lisp function, machine specific features such as function key support, file name completion with drive name, child processes (`suspend-emacs`, and `call-process`). Dired mode works without ``ls.exe'`. Anonymous FTP it from: `wuarchive.wustl.edu` in `/mirrors/msdos/demacs` (US), `utsun.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp` in `/GNU/demacs` (Japan), `rana.cc.deakin.oz.au` in `/pub/PC/oak/demacs` (Pacific), and `ftp.funet.fi` in `/pub/gnu/emacs/demacs` (Europe).

- Freemacs, an Extensible Editor for MS-DOS

  Russ Nelson, `nelson@crynwr.com`, has written a small programmable editor that is somewhat compatible with GNU Emacs and will run on most MS-DOS systems, including 8088 machines. It is so compatible that Freemacs users can use the GNU Emacs Manual as a reference for it.

  Anonymous FTP it from ``emacs16a.zip'` (under `PD1:<MSDOS.FREEMACS>`) from `wsmr-simtel20.army.mil`; or send $15 (copying fee) to Russ Nelson, 11 Grant St., Potsdam, NY 13676 USA. Phone: (315) 268-1925 (Fax: 9201). Specify floppy format: `5.25"/360K`; or `3.50"/720K.`

- GNU Software on MS-DOS

  Russ Nelson has ports for many GNU programs for MS-DOS available on floppy disk. Contact him at the above address for more information.

  In addition, contact `info-gnu-msdos-request@sun.soe.clarkson.edu` for info on ports of GNU programs to MS-DOS and related mailing lists. More information is in ``/pub/gnu/MicrosPorts/MSDOS'`, obtainable via anonymous FTP on `prep.ai.mit.edu`.

# Thank GNUs

Thanks to all those mentioned above in "GNUs Flashes", "Project GNU Status Report", "GNU in Japan", and "GNU Software Available Now".

Thanks to the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT for their invaluable assistance of many kinds.

Thanks to Village Center, Inc., ASCII Corporation, and the Japan Unix Society, all of Japan, for their continued donations and support, and thanks to the anonymous GNU users in Japan for their gifts.

Thanks again to the Open Software Foundation for their continued support.

Thanks to the Technical University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Thanks to the University of Massachusetts at Boston (especially Rick Martin) for allowing Karl Berry and Kathryn Hargreaves to use their computers.

Thanks to Chris Thyberg and Carnegie-Mellon University for supporting Tom Lord.

Thanks to Jim Mochel for his help with MS-DOS.

Thanks to Chet Ramey for his continuing work on improving BASH.

Thanks to Lucid, Inc. for the loan of an X terminal and for their support of Joe Arceneaux.

Thanks to Carol Botteron for proofreading and other assistance, and to Mieko and Nobuyuki Hikichi for their invaluable help raising both funds and consciousness in Japan.

Thanks to Cygnus Support for continuing to improve various programs and assisting the GNU Project in other ways.

Thanks go out to all those who have either lent or donated machines, including Hewlett-Packard for two 80486 computers, and six 68030 and four Spectrum workstations; Brewster Kahle of Thinking Machines Corp. for the Sun-4/110; Doug Blewett of AT&T Bell Labs for two Convergent Miniframes; CMU's Mach Project for the Sun-3/60; Intel Corp. for their 386 machine; NeXT for their workstation; the MIT Media Laboratory for the Hewlett-Packard 68020; SONY Corp. and Software Research Associates, Inc., both of Tokyo, for three SONY News workstations; IBM Corp. for an RS/6000 computer; the MIT Laboratory of Computer Science for the DEC Microvax; the Open Software Foundation for the Compaq 386; Delta Microsystems for an Exabyte tape drive; an anonymous donor for 5 IBM RT computers; Liant Software Corp. for five VT100s; Jerry Peek for a 386 machine; NCD Corporation for an X terminal; and Interleaf, Inc., Veronika Caslavsky, Paul English, Cindy Woolworth, and Lisa Bergen for the loan of a scanner.

Thanks to all those who have contributed ports and extensions, as well as those who have contributed other source code, documentation, and good bug reports. Thanks to those who sent money and offered help. Thanks also to those who support us by ordering manuals and distribution tapes.

The creation of this bulletin is our way of thanking all who have expressed interest in what we are doing.

# Free Software Foundation Order Form

this title is for the info-gnu edition. leave it here -len

opus should just ignore it. ;-)