
                             History of changes
                                      
     Lastest version first.
     For a note on version numbering, see the [1]SmallEiffel FAQ.
   Release - 0.77 - Saturday February 12th, 2000
     * Added in directory SmallEiffel the new [2]install command class
       install.e with a precompiled install.exe for Windows. This
       install.e class is intended to install the SmallEiffel
       distribution it comes with, and is designed to be as portable as
       possible. This automatic installation program has already been
       tested for Windows/lcc-win32, Windows/bcc32, Linux/gcc,
       Solaris/gcc, DEC-Alpha/gcc and FreeBSD/gcc, ... To install
       SmallEiffel under some UNIX like system, just type make in the
       SmallEiffel directory. To install SmallEiffel under Windows, just
       run install.exe. On other systems, C compile and run the install.c
       file.
     * Added C++ external support (creation of C++ objects, deletion of
       C++ objects, member functions calls, static functions calls etc.).
       See lib_show/external/C++ for examples.
     * Added NUMBER library, for infinite precision and infinitely large
       numbers. See lib_show/number for examples.
     * Added ITERATOR library, for external iterators on data structures.
       See lib_show/iterator for examples.
     * Added class BIT_STRING for very large bit sequences, with
       reference semantics.
     * Added class BASIC_DIRECTORY and class DIRECTORY to handle in a
       portable way directories as well as system path notations. See
       lib_show/basic_directory for examples. This class is also
       implemented for Java byte-code (command [3]compile_to_jvm).
     * Added class BASIC_TIME, TIME_IN_FRENCH TIME_IN_ENGLISH and
       TIME_IN_ITALIAN to handle date and time. See lib_show/basic_time
       for examples. Low level routines for Java byte-code are not yet
       implemented If you have some time to do this, you just have to add
       the missing Java code in sys/runtime/SmallEiffelRuntime.java (do
       not forget to post your work on the SmallEiffel mailing list).
     * Features deep_clone and deep_equal of class GENERAL are now
       implemented for the C compilation mode (does not work yet with
       compile_to_jvm).
     * Added feature skip_remainder_of_line and feature reach_and_skip in
       class INPUT_STREAM. Warning: in order to be consistent with other
       features, the behavior of features skip_separators and
       skip_separators_using has changed.
     * Added feature to_hexadecimal and feature to_hexadecimal_in in
       class INTEGER.
     * Improved incremental recompilation of the generated C code (also
       fixed a very old bug in incrementality).
     * Exceptions handling: the default_rescue feature is now supported.
     * Various bug fixes and improvements (type inference score
       increased).
       
   Release - 0.78 - Saturday June 05th, 1999.
     * New -html2 flag for command short generates a colorized HTML short
       form for classes.
     * The garbage collector now takes into account feature dispose of
       class MEMORY for reference objects.
     * Obsolete classes (obsolete keyword) now supported.
     * Assertion tags are now displayed when an assertion fails.
     * Added environment variable in loadpath files. Syntax: ${SOME_VAR}
     * Added the -no_style_warning flag to suppress warnings when the
       recommended styles guidelines for Eiffel are not strictly
       followed.
     * Added the -version flag to show SmallEiffel's version.
     * Enhanced ease of use with and adaptability to various C compilers
       (SYSTEM_TOOLS). Files compiler.system, linker.system and
       o_suffix.system are now obsolete and replaced by a unique file
       compiler.se common to all systems. See the [4]System configuration
       page for more information.
     * Class LINKED_LIST now replaces obsolete class LINK_LIST (simple
       renaming).
       Class TWO_WAY_LINKED_LIST now replaces obsolete class LINK2_LIST
       (simple renaming).
     * Fixed "implicit renaming" bug.
     * Cleaned all source code of tabulations at beginning of line (made
       code look ugly when using an editor whose tabs were not 8).
     * Some new ELKS'95 features implemented.
     * Validity rule VEEN fixed.
     * Added class COLLECTION_SORTER and REVERSE_COLLECTION_SORTER to the
       library.
     * Fixed file renaming portability bug (".d files bug").
     * Validity rule VCFG.1 is now enforced.
     * Validity rule VAPE is now enforced.
     * Classes mentioned in a cecil.se file are now automatically made
       live. Makes it easier to link with external libraries.
     * Various other bug fixes.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.79 - Tuesday December 22nd, 1998.
     * The new Eiffel construct Precursor as described OOSC2 is now
       implemented.
     * The Eiffel expression strip is now implemented.
     * Nested loadpath files now allowed.
     * Extended anchored definition to accept infix and prefix feature
       names. For example, this kind of declaration is now accepted :
         foo: like infix "+".
     * Classes COLLECTION2, ARRAY2 and FIXED_ARRAY2 of lib_std completely
       revisited.
     * Fixed a bug related to calls of the form f.g.h; on expanded
       objects.
     * Fixed a bug related to inheritance of generic classes.
     * Fixed bugs related to assertions checking in case of exceptions
       (rescue clause, retry). Improved cycle detection in assertions.
     * Fixed bug in GC related to recycling of "monsters" (very large
       resizable objets).
     * Fixed an incredible bug in the implementation of the like Current
       type mark. ;-).
     * Fixed many others bugs ($ operator, GC for alpha DEC, ...).
     * System customization file for the BeOS system added in the "sys"
       sub-directory (more on [5]system customization).
     * Contents of the environment variable SmallEiffel must be now set
       with the absolute path of the file "system.se" which is in the
       sub-directory "sys" of the installation directory.
       Under a UNIX-like system, the value of the SmallEiffel environment
       variable may be for example: /usr/lib/SmallEiffel/sys/system.se
       Commands are also more robust when this environment variable
       contains non-alphanumeric characters.
     * No more ensure assertion in GENERAL.get_environment_variable.
     * Commands [6]compile_to_jvm and [7]print_jvm_class completely
       revisited. Java byte-code can be now used with the -verify Java
       option).
     * Validity rule VDRD.6 is now enforced.
     * Balancing rule (automatic promotion) for INTEGER, DOUBLE and REAL
       is now implemented.
     * Recursive once routines now work correctly.
     * Unmodified generated C files are not touched anymore.
     * Assertions correctly checked for all external C routines.
     * Exception handling now works when an exception occurs in external
       C code.
     * Cleaned the compiler and decreased its memory footprint.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.80 - Thursday July 9th, 1998.
     * Exception handling implemented. Class EXCEPTIONS added in lib_std.
     * Execution trace stack implementation completely revisited: more
       comprehensive information is now available, and the overhead
       incurred by this stack is greatly reduced (executables are about 3
       times faster when running in -all_check mode).
     * Added option -no_main in command [8]compile_to_c to avoid
       generation of the C main function. This is useful when one wants
       to start execution from outside before calling some Eiffel
       routines via the [9]cecil interface.
     * Behavior of compilation flag [10]-trace of command compile_to_c
       changed to allow step-by-step execution (embryo of Eiffel source
       code debugger).
     * Feature ARRAY.resize completely revisited (added two features in
       class NATIVE_ARRAY: clear and move).
     * Garbage Collector optimized (the GC should be more agressive and
       some benchmarks are included in directory
       SmallEiffel/misc/benchmarks/gc/*/bench.e).
     * Associativity of infix operator "^" is now correctly handled.
     * Fixed bugs in PLATFORM for Minimum_double, Minimum_real and
       Minimum_character_code.
     * Fixed some others bugs about export rules, about expanded objects
       with expanded attributes.
     * Fixed bugs in pretty.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.81 - Thursday April 9th, 1998
     * First finalized version of the garbage collector. Currently
       supported architectures are SPARC Solaris, HP-UX, Linux, MacOS,
       Windows 95 and NT (see file SmallEiffel/sys/gc for details). Added
       flag -no_gc to suppress the GC (see [11]man/compile_to_c).
     * Changed the default for the generation of C code. Now, the C code
       and object files are kept by default. (This previously required
       using option -c_code, which becomes obsolete.)
       Added flag -clean which removes all the C and object files of the
       system. (This corresponds to the old default behavior.)
     * Fixed a bug related to buffered input under Windows/MS VC.
     * Fixed a bug in misc/INSTALL.SH script.
     * Added require is_connected for all features put_* of class
       OUTPUT_STREAM.
     * Fixed a bug in command [12]short (require/ensure assertion of
       deferred routines are now printed).
     * Added one useful hook for mode -html1 in command [13]short (see
       hook Mcn).
     * Added directory SmallEiffel/sys/runtime which contains the C
       runtime.
     * Fixed a bug about instanciation of class ANY itself (not so common
       !).
     * Fixed a bug about inlining of operator $.
     * Fixed a bug about cyclic anchored definitions.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.82 - Friday January 16th, 1998
     * Became the official GNU Eiffel compiler.
     * Added first HTML mode to command [14]short. Flag -html1. Thanks to
       Matthias Klause.
     * Fixed bugs in command [15]pretty.
     * It is now possible to rename/redefine external "SmallEiffel"
       features.
     * Files *.hlp of directory SmallEiffel/man no longer exists. All the
       documentation is now in *.html files plus corresponding
       automatically generated *.txt files.
     * Manifest arrays creation has been optimized.
     * Validity rule VHRC.2 is now enforced.
     * Fixed bugs about export clause.
     * Feature GENERAL.hash_code no longer exists. Added ELKS class
       HASHABLE in order to be compatible with others
       compilers/libraries.
     * Fixed a bug in pre-computed once functions.
     * Fixed a bug in REAL/DOUBLE keybord input.
     * Reintroduced left hand side cast in C code for better performances
       (allowed by the C ANSI standard).
     * Obsolete features (obsolete keyword) now generate a Warning.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.83 - Friday September 19th, 1997
     * Added command short to the distribution.
     * Added directory contrib in the distribution. This directory
       contains some scripts to use gdb as source level debugger for
       SmallEiffel.
     * Added flag -no_warning to commands: compile_to_c, pretty, and
       compile_to_jvm.
     * Added flag -case_insensitive to command compile_to_c.
     * Fixed a bug for inherit/select.
     * Fixed a bug for some pre-computed once function.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.84 - Monday August 18th, 1997
     * Class BIT is now implemented in Java bytecode (command
       compile_to_jvm).
     * Added external specification to call Java code (when using
       compile_to_jvm).
     * To fit on a single 3.5 inches disk, unsplitted C code for large
       commands (compile_to_c and compile_to_jvm) is no longer in the
       distribution as well as the old lib_test directory.
     * Changed the algorithm to load classes in order to allow upper case
       letters in files names (priority is always given to lower case
       file names).
     * Added STRING.substring_index (from ELKS written by Fridtjof
       SIEBERT).
     * Added one more file in SmallEiffel/sys/ directory in order to
       customize object files suffix (thus, using Borland C compiler on
       Windows is now possible).
     * Changed the behavior of end_of_input of INPUT_STREAM (this flag is
       true _after_ last character has been read).
     * Fixed a bug in manifest arrays (mixed objects including Void).
     * Fixed a bug dealing with some statically computed expressions.
     * Fixed a bug in repeated inheritance.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.85 - Thursday July 3rd, 1997
     * First beta-release of commands compile_to_jvm and print_jvm_class!
     * The new name for class C_ARRAY is now NATIVE_ARRAY (because it
       works both with Java and C). The old C_ARRAY name is temporarily
       accepted with a warning from the compiler.
     * For readability and to avoid confusion with Java names, external
       tags have changed (see for new names in [16]man/external file).
       Old names are temporarily accepted with a warning giving the new
       name to use.
     * Added feature to_hexadecimal and feature to_hexadecimal_in in
       class CHARACTER.
     * Feature io, std_input, std_output and std_error of class GENERAL
       are no longer frozen.
     * Some changes in STD_FILE_READ for features read_integer,
       read_double and read_real (added comments, precondition and solved
       the problem with the trailing separator).
     * Feature die_with_code of GENERAL now accepts any INTEGER code (not
       just predefined exit_success_code and exit_failure_code).
     * Fixed a bug in STRING. The following expression is now true:
       ("a%/0/b").count = 3
       Just try this on your favorite Eiffel compiler ;-)
     * Many changes in basic input/output in order to be compatible with
       Java: No more class STD_FILE (the name is now free for an ELKS
       implementation). Two new classes: INPUT_STREAM and OUTPUT_STREAM.
     * Feature unread_character of class INPUT_STREAM is now implemented
       in Eiffel.
     * Added OUTPUT_STREAM.put_pointer to view a POINTER.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.86 - Sunday April 13th, 1997
     * All reported bugs at this time have been fixed.
     * Added flag -verbose to commands: compile, compile_to_c and clean.
       When this new flag is not present, commands now work silently
       unless some error (or warning) occurs.
     * Features BOOLEAN.infix "or" and BOOLEAN.infix "and" are now
       written in pure Eiffel. As a consequence, it is very important for
       the SmallEiffel programmer to make the distinction between
       BOOLEAN.infix "and then" and BOOLEAN.infix "and" (respectively for
       BOOLEAN.infix "or else" and BOOLEAN.infix "or"). When
       left-hand-side argument produces no side effect, the semi-strict
       operator (BOOLEAN.infix"and then"/"or else") may run faster.
     * Fixed REAL.sin (the old one was calling sqrt :-).
     * Fixed a bug in INTEGER.append_in (you can now print
       Minimum_integer).
     * Added feature in_range in class COMPARABLE.
     * Result type of REAL.infix "^" is now DOUBLE for ELKS
       compatibility.
     * Feature remove is now implemented in all subclasses of COLLECTION
       (i.e. ARRAY, FIXED_ARRAY, LINK_LIST and LINK2_LIST).
     * Added feature add for all subclasses of COLLECTION.
     * Conversion DOUBLE/STRING : ANSI C sscanf and sprintf is now used
       to avoid loss of precision.
     * Added some more class invariant code generation when compiling in
       -invariant_check mode. Class invariant is now also checked before
       exit of a routine.
     * Added feature file_tools in class GENERAL to ease access to class
       FILE_TOOLS.
     * Changed printing format for basic *_REF classes. For example,
       instruction print(1); now prints 1.
     * Feature truncated_to_integer of DOUBLE is now ELKS compatible
       (added feature rounded in class DOUBLE to replace the old
       truncated_to_integer). Same changes in class REAL.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.87 - Tuesday January 7th, 1997
     * Added a new flag -trace to ease debug (see [17]man/compile_to_c
       file).
     * More inlining at Eiffel level (-boost mode only).
     * Class BIT_N completely revisited. It may be as fast as C.
     * Added class C_ARRAY[E] to deal directly with C arrays at Eiffel
       level. Thus there are no more external "CSE" or c_inline_c in
       classes STRING/ARRAY/FIXED_ARRAY (only full Eiffel). Eiffel code
       is nice and STRING/ARRAY/FIXED_ARRAY may run faster.
     * Fixed a bug in STD_FILE_READ.read_double.
     * Ordering of C output to increase gcc inlining.
     * According to [18]man/compile_to_c) , flag -debug_check now works
       (debug instructions are no longer generated in mode -all_check).
     * Unused local variables removed at Eiffel level (warning added for
       -debug_check mode only).
     * Default class ANY now inherits PLATFORM (as in ETL).
     * Fixed a bug in floating-point constants.
     * Added directory sys to customize default C compiler, default C
       linker and default loading path.
     * Fixed some bugs with outside expanded types.
     * Fixed a bug with rename/select.
     * Redefinition of once routine is now allowed.
     * Feature GENERAL.conforms_to is now implemented.
     * Rule VFFD.7 is now enforced.
     * Feature force implemented for all COLLECTION.
     * Added conversions features CHARACTER.to_bit, INTEGER.to_bit,
       BIT_N.to_character and BIT_N.to_integer.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.88 - Wednesday October 30th, 1996
     * Fixed bugs dealing with inherit/rename/select.
     * Added warning for missing colon in actual arguments list.
     * Warning : INSTALL procedure has changed and you have to set
       manually the default loading path (see misc/INSTALL for details).
     * Added some VMS customization.
     * Fixed bugs when printing run-time stack.
     * Warning added for missing colon in actual parameter list.
     * Added flush in class STD_FILE_WRITE.
     * No more left hand side cast in C code (because some C compilers
       don't like them).
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.89 - Sunday September 15th, 1996
     * Calling Eiffel from C is now implemented (see [19]man/cecil)
       file).
     * Object creation uses C calloc instead malloc+memset.
     * Object creation is inlined.
     * ARRAY/FIXED_ARRAY put and item are now inlined (-boost only).
     * Added feature capacity and resize in FIXED_ARRAY.
     * Added some classes in std_lib: LINK2_LIST (two way linked list),
       COLLECTION2 (deferred), ARRAYED_COLLECTION (deferred),
       LINKED_COLLECTION (deferred) and FIXED_ARRAY2 in std_lib.
     * More user's routines are inlined (-boost only).
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.90 - Friday August 23rd, 1996
     * Added random number generator library (SmallEiffel/lib_rand).
     * Added checking of assertions for external "CSE" features.
     * Anchoring on expanded types are now allowed.
     * Multiple level of anchoring definition allowed.
     * Fixed a bug in STRING.from_external.
     * Fixed a bug with mixed rename/redefine.
     * Inheritance loop detection.
     * Anchoring loop detection.
     * Fixed a bug with renaming infix/prefix.
     * Command clean also use the make suffix.
     * Added ELKS95 sign in INTEGER/REAL/DOUBLE.
     * Feature make is the default root feature name for compile.
     * Optimized ARRAY.add_last and STRING.extend.
     * Changed STRING.out (no more enclosing %" printed).
     * Remove warning gcc messages for 64 bits machine (alpha/DECK).
     * Added option -no_split for a better finalization (see
       [20]man/compile_to_c) file).
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.91 - Wednesday July 24th, 1996
     * Incremental C compiling mode implemented (see option -c_code in
       help file [21]man/compile) .
     * Added command clean in help file [22]man/clean.
     * Added class FILE_TOOLS.
     * No more empty C struct in generated C code (to avoid problems with
       Microsoft Windows C compiler).
     * Fixed one more bug with conformance rule VNCG.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.92 - Saturday July 20th, 1996
     * Fixed some more bugs with conformance rule VNCG.
     * Added math functions in DOUBLE/REAL (sin, cos, tan, asin, acos,
       atan, ... ANSI C names).
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.93 - Thursday July 18th, 1996
     * Fixed some more bugs with conformance rule VNCG.
     * Type BIT is now implemented.
     * Added ELKS 95 STRING.left_adjust and STRING.right_adjust.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.94 - Friday July 5th, 1996
     * Fixed some bugs with conformance rule VNCG.
     * Static expressions are used to detect pre-computable once
       routines.
     * Added features to_external and from_external both in classes ARRAY
       and FIXED_ARRAY.
     * Fixed a bug for inheritance of ARRAY or FIXED_ARRAY.
     * Contents of end of class comment checked.
     * Added documentation file for external calls (see help file
       [23]man/external ).
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.95 - Thursday May 30th, 1996
     * It is now possible to inherit ARRAY.
     * It is now possible to inherit STRING.
     * Flag -cc of compile_to_c has changed.
     * The PLATFORM class is now conform to ELKS95.
     * Added feature twin (like the one of TowerEiffel) in GENERAL.
     * Added features to_external and from_external in class STRING.
     * Fixed some bugs in once pre-computed routines.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.96 - Friday May 10th, 1996
     * Internal renaming to suppress some warning messages and for a
       smooth integration with C++ software.
     * DOS and Macintosh better portability.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.97 - Thursday May 2nd, 1996
     * Inside of compiler cleaned.
     * Pre-Computing of some once functions.
     * Added class COLLECTION, LINK_LIST and FIXED_ARRAY in lib_std.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.98 - Friday March 15th, 1996
     * Command pretty added.
     * Implements Eiffel expanded clause.
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 0.99 - Saturday February 17th, 1996
     * The first version available on the net. Before being made
       available, the very first SmallEiffel had been tested since
       September 1995 by students of the University Henri Poincaré
       
                                   [Line]
                                      
   Release - 1.00 - July 1995
     * The very first bootstrap. SmallEiffel is born.
       
   
   
                                   [Line]
                                      
             Copyright © Dominique COLNET and Suzanne COLLIN -
                           [24]<colnet@loria.fr>
                     Last update: 12 Feb. 2000, by DC. 

References

   1. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/SmallEiffelFAQ.html#Q02
   2. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/install.html
   3. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_jvm.html
   4. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/system.html
   5. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/system.html
   6. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_jvm.html
   7. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/print_jvm_class.html
   8. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_c.html
   9. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/cecil.html
  10. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_c.html#trace
  11. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_c.html
  12. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/short.html
  13. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/short.html
  14. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/short.html
  15. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/pretty.html
  16. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/external.html
  17. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_c.html
  18. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_c.html
  19. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/cecil.html
  20. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile_to_c.html
  21. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/compile.html
  22. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/clean.html
  23. file://localhost/home/colnet/SmallEiffel/misc/man/external.html
  24. mailto:colnet@loria.fr
