IBM C++ compilers
This section describes the various IBM C++ Compilers for AIX. The details provided here are, again, limited to compatibility issues of the various compilers with the different versions of the AIX operating system. This information can help decide which C++ Compiler product to use for a particular project, based on the target version of AIX, and the nature of the C++ source code being compiled.
IBM C Set ++ for AIX Version 3
The IBM C Set ++ for AIX Version 3 product was the first C++ compiler product from IBM for AIX Version 4.1. The Version 3 in the name of the product specifies the version of the compiler product rather than the version of the AIX operating system the compiler is compatible with. The C Set ++ for AIX Version 3 product is, in effect, an extension of the C for AIX Version 3 compiler. An alternative view is that the C for AIX Version 3 compiler is a subset of the C Set ++ for AIX compiler.
This compiler was initially released as Version 3.1.0, and evolved over time with the addition of Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs) to become C Set ++ for AIX Version 3.1.4, which was supported on AIX Version 4.1 and AIX Version 4.2. It was not supported on AIX Version 3.2 and is not supported on AIX Version 4.3.
C++ programs written using C Set ++ Version 2 on AIX Version 3.2 are source compatible with C Set ++ for AIX Version 3, with some exceptions to detect invalid programs or areas where results are undefined. These exceptions are documented in the product README file.
The compiler product itself is installed in /usr/lpp/xIC, and symbolic links are created in /usr/bin for the command line driver programs, for example, /usr/bin/xIC. The default PATH environment variable means that most users need only type x1C on the command line to invoke the /usr/bin/xIC driver program, which, in turn, is a symbolic link to the driver /usr/ipp/xIC/bin/xIC. The compiler configuration file is /etc/xIC.cfg.
The C Set ++ for AIX Version 3 compiler product uses the Net/LS licensing system to control usage of the product.
This product has been withdrawn from marketing and is no longer available for purchase. Support for this product has also been discontinued. Current users of this product are encouraged to upgrade to IBM VisualAge C++ for AIX Version 6.0.
IBM C and C++ compilers Version 3.6
The official name of this product is IBM C and C++ compilers for AIX, OS/2®, and Windows NT. The product is part of a family of related compilers, with versions available for each of the mentioned platforms. The product is sometimes referred to as C Set++ Version 3.6. The AIX Version of the product is the follow on to C Set++ Version 3 for AIX.
The product offered a number of facilities to assist in the development of cross-platform applications, where the same source code is used on multiple platforms. The product includes a rich set of IBM class libraries, memory management routines, graphical debuggers, and resource tools for creating and compiling resources and converting between platform formats. The C compiler component of the product can produce either 32-bit or 64-bit executable files when used on AIX Version 4.3.
The product is supported on AIX Version 4.1.4, Version 4.2, and Version 4.3.
C++ programs written using Version 3 of C Set ++ for AIX and earlier are source compatible with the C++ compiler of C Set ++ for AIX Version 3.6.
As with the other post Version 3.1 compiler products, the compiler command drivers are not created in /usr/bin when the product is installed.
The installation directory is /usr/ibmcxx, and the configuration file is /etc/ibmcxx.cfg.
The product uses the LUM license management system to control usage of the product. Refer to 1.4, “Activating the compilers” on page 23 for information on configuring the licence system.
This product has been withdrawn from marketing and is no longer available for purchase. Support for this product has also been discontinued. Current users of this product are encouraged to upgrade to IBM VisualAge C++ for AIX Version 6.0.
IBM VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 4
VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 4 is a powerful rapid application development (RAD) tool for building C and C++ applications. This heterogeneous RAD environment provides:
Tools, including a graphical debugger
Visual Builder and Data Access Builder
Incremental compiler and linker
A rich set of class libraries
Online help and a powerful full-text search engine
VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX provides a standards-compliant C++ compiler. Its incremental development environment and visual programming tools improve programmer productivity.
This product features an incremental compiler and linker and, as such, is not ideally suited for use when working with existing application code that uses Makefiles or for a development environment that maintains a single source tree for multiple platforms and uses Makefiles. For this reason, the product includes a copy of the IBM C Set++ Version 3.6 compiler for use in a batch compile environment.
This compiler product runs on IBM AIX Version 4.1.5, Version 4.2, and Version 4.3 for RS/6000.
C++ programs written using Version 3.6 of IBM C and C++ compilers and earlier are source compatible with the C++ compiler component of VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version4.
Note
As described above, this version of VisualAge features an incremental compiler. The implications of this for productivity and the code are impressive, but if the application is moving from a batch environment, do spend time with the application to adapt to the VisualAge products. For example, makefiles cannot be processed directly by the incremental compiler.
But, once the migration is done, then the advantages of VisualAge products are very impressive. This then would reduce the amount of time and memory required to do each build as well as the time spent on rebuilding when some changes are made to the source files.
This product has been withdrawn from marketing and is no longer available for purchase. Support for this product has also been discontinued. Current users of this product are encouraged to upgrade to IBM VisualAge C++ for AIX Version 6.0.
IBM VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 5
VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 5.0 features a fully incremental compiler and a batch compiler. The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) operates with the incremental compiler when used in the AIX Common Desktop Environment (CDE). The batch compiler is run from the command line and is suitable for use in a development environment that uses Makefiles. Both compilers support the latest ANSI/ISO C++ language standard and the latest version (Version 5) of the IBM Open Class library.
The main differences between Version 4 and Version 5 of this product are:
Version 5 supports multiple codestores in a single project.
Version 5 is a single product featuring both batch and incremental compilers.
The graphical interface of Version 5 has been redesigned with a host of helpful features. Version 5 has improved optimization techniques and provides the programmer with effective and efficient ways handling of C++ object code. Also, this product allows the developer to carry out performance analysis to determine the applications usage of system resources.
This product is supported on IBM AIX Version 4.2.1 and later versions for RS/6000 hardware.
C++ programs written using Version 4 of IBM VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX are source compatible with the VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 5. However, programs written using IBM C and C++ Compilers for AIX Version 3.6, and earlier are not source compatible because the former compilers were based on the ISO C++ Draft.
The C compiler component of VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 5 is provided by the IBM C for AIX Version 5 compiler.
C++ compiler summary
Table A-2 summarizes the various IBM C++ compiler products for AIX.
| Compiler | Installation directory | Configuration file | Supported AIX Levels | Licensing method | Drivers in /usr/bin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Set++ for AIX Version 3 | /usr/lpp/xIC | /etc/xlC.cfg | 4.1, 4.2 | Net/Ls | Yes |
| IBM C and C++ compilers Version 3.6 | /usr/ibmcxx | /etc/ibmcxx.cfg | 4.1.4, 4.2, 4.3 | LUM | No |
| VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 4 | /usr/vacpp | /etc/vacpp.cfg | 4.1.5, 4.2, 4.3 | LUM | No |
| VisualAge C++ Professional for AIX Version 5 | /usr/vacpp | /etc/vacpp.cfg/etc/vac.cfg | 4.2.1, 4.3 | LUM | No |