30-May-85 19:29:36-EDT,5278;000000000000 Mail-From: SY.FDC created at 30-May-85 19:29:10 Date: Thu 30 May 85 19:29:10-EDT From: Frank da Cruz Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V2 #32 To: Info-Kermit@CU20B.ARPA Reply-To: Info-Kermit@CU20B Queries-To: Info-Kermit-Request@CU20B Info-Kermit Digest Thu, 30 May 1985 Volume 2 : Number 32 C-Kermit Version 4C for Unix, VMS, and the Macintosh ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This is to announce version 4C of C-Kermit for Unix, the Apple Macintosh, and VAX/VMS. C-Kermit is a version of Kermit written modularly in C, implementing the entire Kermit file transfer protocol (except for attribute packets), designed for modularity and transportability. This version of Kermit has been in "field test" for about a month, and is being released at this time because most of the major goals for it have been met, namely: . Most known bugs in release 4.2 fixed . Support for new systems added and tested . A few new functions incorporated At this point, C-Kermit should be considered a fairly stable base upon which to add support for new systems -- the interface between the system-dependent and portable modules seems to have settled down -- and to add new features. A few highlights: Systems Supported: . Berkeley Unix 4.1 and 4.2 (but not yet 2.9) . AT&T Unix System III and derivatives (Xenix/286, PC/IX, etc) . AT&T Unix System V and derivatives . Bell Unix Version 7 . DEC Pro-350 with Venix Version 1 . NCR Tower 1632, OS 1.02 . VAX/VMS . Apple Macintosh New features since version 4.2, common to all implementations: . Many features redesigned to promote portability. . Compile-time options to eliminate debugging and logging code to reduce size and boost performance. . Packet parameters separately settable for inbound & outbound packets. . Protocol operation improved here & there, many bugs fixed. New features for Unix implementation (and VMS): . Command line continuation . Support for additional modem-dialers . Improved performance for Pro/Venix . Better (but still not perfect) determination of local vs remote mode in 'set line' . User's preferred shell is used for "!" commands, rather than always sh. (A complete list of Unix/VMS updates is in CKUKER.UPD.) New Features (since 0.7) for Macintosh: . A key redefinition package is now provided. . I/O errors, such as disk full or write protected, now handled better. . Separate boxes for inbound & outbound packet parameters in protocol settings dialog. (A complete list of Macintosh updates is in CKMKER.UPD.) The Macintosh implementation is built using the Stanford University Medical Center's SUMACC cross development system, which runs on VAX computers under Unix (or VMS with Eunice). MacKermit fits on a standard 128K Mac, but just barely. The key configurator is a separate program, because this additional functionality added to Kermit itself would not fit into a 128K Mac. The memory restriction is a problem only because the SUMACC system cannot produce swappable segments. If someone wants to take the trouble to translate the Macintosh-specific modules to one of the native Macintosh C development systems that supports segment loading, then additional functionality can be added without worrying about exceeding memory. (If you want to volunteer to do this, please contact us first!) The VAX/VMS implementation is more an exercise in portability than a real Kermit implementation. It mostly works, but does not possess the intimate knowledge of the VMS environment that the Stevens Institute of Technology Bliss language implementation has. Still, it may be useful to sites that do not have a Bliss compiler but do have the VAX-11 C compiler. Documentation includes a Unix Kermit manual (CKUKER.DOC, Scribe source CKUKER.MSS), a Macintosh Kermit manual (CKMKER.DOC,.MSS), various help files (CK*.HLP), program update histories (CK*.UPD), and "beware" files (CK*.BWR). The Unix and Macintosh manuals are new chapters for the Kermit User Guide, but the Guide itself has not yet been reissued to include these chapters; a new revision of the manual will appear after MS-DOS Kermit 2.28 is announced. The files are in KER:CK*.*, available from host CU20B via anonymous FTP on the Internet. Within a few days, they will also be available from BITnet via KERMSRV at CUVMA. In addition, Macintosh Kermit diskettes will be sent out to selected sites (Apple University Consortium schools and a few others; our capacity to reproduce diskettes is limited, so we can't do mass mailings). And of course, the new files will be included henceforth on our Kermit distribution tapes. The files that had been in for testing purposes have been removed. Thanks to all the folks on the network who participated in the test and helped to work out the bugs, particularly Dave Tweten (AMES-NAS), Marco Papa (USC), Dan Schullman (DEC), Lawrence Afrin (Clemson U), and many others too numerous to mention. Please report any problems to Info-Kermit@CU20B. ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest ************************* -------