Specifications

Compilers, Interpreters, and Assemblers
7.2 Summary of Language Features
7.2 Summary of Language Features
Table 7–1 lists the languages available for OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS AXP
and their main features. Compilers whose names begin with VAX are supported
only on OpenVMS VAX. Compilers whose names begin with DEC are supported
on OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS AXP unless noted otherwise. The sections that
follow provide more detail about each one.
Table 7–1 Compilers, Interpreters, and Assemblers
Language Features
DEC Ada Complete production-quality implementation of Ada
language; fully conforms to ANSI and MIL-STD
standards; has Ada validation
VAX APL Interpreter with built-in editor, debugger, file system,
communications facility
VAX BASIC Supports a robust implementation of the BASIC
language, containing most constructs found in
traditional programming languages; can be used as
either an interpreter or a compiler; fully supported by
OpenVMS Debugger; fully reentrant code
DEC BASIC for OpenVMS AXP Supports a robust implementation of the BASIC
language, containing most constructs found in
traditional programming languages; is an optimizing
compiler which is highly compatible with VAX BASIC;
no environment/interpreter support
VAX BLISS-32 Provides advanced set of language features supporting
development of modular software according to
structured programming concepts; provides access
to most VAX hardware features
VAX C Full implementation of C programming language with
added features for performance enhancement in the
OpenVMS environment
DEC C for OpenVMS AXP Compliant with ANSI-standard Systems-Programming
Language C (document number: X3.159-1989)
DEC C++ Includes class libraries, a new C run-time library, and
support for the debugger and LSE/SCA
DEC COBOL for OpenVMS AXP Based upon the 1985 ANSI COBOL Standard X3.23-
1985 and is closely compatible with VAX COBOL
VAX COBOL Compatible with ANSI-standard COBOL; supports an
embedded data manipulation language interface to
Digital’s CODASYL-compliant Database Management
System (DBMS)
VAX DIBOL Designed for interactive data processing; includes
a compiler, debugger, and utility programs for
data handling, data storing, and interprogram
communication
DEC Fortran for OpenVMS VAX Supports ANSI-standard FORTRAN–77 with many
industry-leading extensions; conforms to FIPS
standards; has a high optimization compiler and
takes full advantage of features of the OpenVMS
environment
(continued on next page)
7–2