AVR Toolchain v3.3.2 (and v3.4.0) impressions

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wek
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Posted by wek: Thu. Apr 26, 2012 - 09:11 PM
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This is continuation of https://www.avrfreaks.net/index.p... and subsequent.

I downloaded (98MByte) the new "Toolchain" Windows installer from http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMEL... (as I wrote in the thread above, there is pleasant news - the registration form now came pre-filled - apparently it depends on having an Atmel login (and probably also having used that on given computer - I believe this all comes from some cookie magic) but I have such since long anyway), and installed.

I now also understand the "3.3.1"/"3.3.2" discrepancy: the *installer* is version 3.3.1.1020, whereas the installed toolchain is

(AVR_8_bit_GNU_Toolchain_3.3.2_485) 4.5.1

Those who have AS6: Is this the same version?

Findings - compare with my rants for the previous version (3.3.0) and also on the even older one which I already forgot what number was it:

  • it overwrote my previous 3.3.0 version without asking - this is rude
  • it installed only the 8-bit version without asking - what if I decided I want the 32-bit too?
  • it overwrote PATH without asking, putting itself to the front (we've discussed this already, haven't we?)
  • cca 250MB in the target directory, contains the same set of garbage as previously - man, info, libiberty...
  • in light of Eric's recent question "what utility is missing", I'd point out that there are many which could be perhaps omitted, like "who" and half a dozen of "awk-s" etc.
  • even if IANAL, I still believe that Atmel cannot use the kind of restriction on "licence" on work derived from GPL
Patches appear to be there, I did not check for completeness etc. I also did not check whether the functional errors already reported have been fixed - maybe later if time permits.

JW

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Tools, Compilers and General Programming
Last Edited: Mon. Jul 9, 2012 - 10:14 AM
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snigelen
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Posted by snigelen: Thu. Apr 26, 2012 - 09:41 PM
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wek wrote:
half a dozen of "awk-s"
You haven't seen the light. Yet :wink:

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wek
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Posted by wek: Mon. Jul 9, 2012 - 10:23 AM
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Toolchain v3.4.0 impressions (the similarity to the first post is not coincidental):

I downloaded (98MByte) the new "Toolchain" Windows installer from http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMEL... - more pleasant news, a much shorter form came up, basically asking only my name and company info, and was already completely filled up so it was enough to click through.

The *installer* is version 3.4.0.1146, whereas the installed toolchain is

avr-gcc (AVR_8_bit_GNU_Toolchain_3.4.0_663) 4.6.2

Those who have AS6: Is this the same version?

Findings - compare with previous versions:

  • it overwrote my previous 3.3.1(2) version without asking - this is rude
  • it installed only the 8-bit version without asking - what if I decided I want the 32-bit too?
  • it overwrote PATH without asking, putting itself to the front (we've discussed this already, haven't we?)
  • cca 348MB in the target directory. Still loads of garbage, but the main reason for the difference is that the installer, while overwriting the previous version without asking, did not remove some of the files from the previous version; most notably in [AVRToolchain]\lib\gcc\avr\, both the 4.5.1 and 4.6.2 libraries are present, some 88MB each. But what's some 100-200MB between friends, isn't it?
  • even if IANAL, I still believe that Atmel cannot use the kind of restriction on "licence" on work derived from GPL
Patches appear to be there, I did not check for completeness etc. I also did not check whether the functional errors already reported have been fixed - maybe later if time permits.

JW

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Gold Markclawson
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Posted by clawson: Mon. Jul 9, 2012 - 10:38 AM
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Quote:

Those who have AS6: Is this the same version?

Yes.

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wek
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Posted by wek: Thu. Aug 30, 2012 - 10:34 AM
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There appears to be an update, v3.4.1:
http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMEL...
http://www.atmel.com/tools/ATMEL...

But while sources appear to be available at http://distribute.atmel.no/tools... , I can't find the standalone Windows installer which I am interested in ...

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snigelen
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Posted by snigelen: Thu. Aug 30, 2012 - 10:44 AM
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They know about it. But nothing seems to happen. :-(

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wek
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Posted by wek: Thu. Aug 30, 2012 - 11:26 AM
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Ah, I see. Thanks.

JW

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wek
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Posted by wek: Fri. Aug 31, 2012 - 09:59 AM
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The Windows installer for v3.4.1 is now on the Atmel website. I downloaded it and installed. Impressions:

+ it told me it will overwrite (update) the previous version

- overwrote system PATH again without asking (I know it is documented in the release notes, but still, how much work is to add a dialog asking whether one wants this or not?)

- all other remarks as per size, unnecessary files, mess in the directories etc. remain - is it that hard to clean the stuff up?

- still only gcc version 4.6.2 , i.e. no _flash

- most work apparently went into the support of tiniest of tinys and some of the new chips (mostly xmegas but also some of the specialized stuff such as touch and RFID)

JW

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