From: Reinier Zwitserloot 
Subject: Re: 3D game engine for PB?
 
Unfortunately, if PB produced a standard ascii file as defined by the
ascii standard and EDIT couldn't read it, then it is microsoft who
should be modifying EDIT, or alternatively they should not claim that
it's an ascii text editor, because it would then not be. NASM produces
OBJ files that adhere to the OBJ standard as defined by IBM, Phar/lap,
and Microsoft in the document SS0288, and I am not counting
version/compiler/linker/utility specific additions, just the plain set
that is required to count as a 'real' OBJ. I have contacted NASM, they
have put it on the wishlist which so much means as 'if we have the
resources to do this, we'll give it a try'. I have also contacted
PowerBASIC, and the only replies I've been getting is that NASM should
fix their bug, and that PB isn't even considering this one as a maybe
for fixing. You would expect some service or a good reason as to why PB
isn't going to fix it. MASM is the standard doesn't sound like a good
reason to me, because MASM doesn't define the OBJ standard. Document
SS0288 has been specifically designed for this purpose and my copy
of this official document is dated 5/92, so it's been around for a
while. Yet PB claims they can link in OBJs. Clearly this should be
changed to 'PB can link in OBJs generated by MASM.' That's the essence
of what I'm saying. PB can NOT link in OBJs. Only MASM output. from the
PB/DOS v3.2 Reference manual, under '$LINK':
 
"The $LINK metastatement is used to link an object module (.OBJ
file)..."
 
This is in error. NASM produces a correct OBJ according to the business
standard (doc SS0288, if you can't find it contact me and I'll send you
a copy) yet PB cannot link it. I call this a bug, and I'm as a customer
very conserned I'm being waved off without any indication the bug is
going to be fixed or at least documentation is changed to comment on the
fact that $LINK is unable to link in standard OBJs, only MASM OBJs.
 
Either state what your product can do correctly or deal with fixing the
bug, and most definitely attempt to keep service levels on a fair level
to your customer, especially if he's been offering help and lots of
freeware products that have been exclusively designed for PB.
 
-A slightly peeved customer.
 
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