Two questions for AI

[ognil]

Q: When MS will stop  maintenance  for MASM32 (Microsoft Macro Assembler). 

A: However, it is important to note that MASM32 is an older toolset Microsoft has not officially announced a specific end-of-life or maintenance termination date for MASM32 (Microsoft Macro Assembler).
However, it is important to note that MASM32 is an older toolset primarily used for 32-bit assembly language programming, and its relevance has diminished over time due to the industry's shift toward higher-level programming languages and 64-bit architectures.

Key Points to Consider:

MASM32 is Community-Driven :
The MASM32 package is not an official Microsoft product but rather a community-driven toolkit built around the Microsoft Macro Assembler (ML.EXE), which is part of the Microsoft Visual Studio suite.
The MASM32 SDK provides libraries, headers, and tools for 32-bit assembly development, but it relies on components from older versions of Visual Studio.

Microsoft's Focus on Modern Tools :

Microsoft has shifted its focus to modern development tools and frameworks, such as .NET, C++, and cloud-based solutions. While the Microsoft Macro Assembler (ML.EXE) is still included in recent versions of Visual Studio, its support is limited to legacy projects.
For 64-bit development, Microsoft recommends using tools like the Microsoft C++ compiler (MSVC) and inline assembly (where supported).

End of Support for Older Visual Studio Versions :

Since MASM32 depends on components from older versions of Visual Studio (e.g., Visual Studio 2010 or earlier), the deprecation of these versions indirectly affects MASM32 users.
Microsoft typically provides extended support for Visual Studio versions for 5–6 years after their release. Once this period ends, updates and security fixes are no longer provided.

No Official Announcement :
To date, Microsoft has not issued a formal announcement regarding the discontinuation of MASM32 or the Microsoft Macro Assembler. However, the lack of active development or updates suggests that it is considered a legacy tool.

Recommendations for Developers:

If you rely on MASM32 for legacy projects, consider migrating to modern development tools and languages where possible.



Q. What will be when authors of NASM, FASM, etc.  die and Intel add some new registers and new instructions. MASM64 will be updated immediately. 

A: This is an interesting question that touches on the sustainability of open-source projects like NASM (Netwide Assembler) and FASM (Flat Assembler) versus proprietary tools like MASM64 (Microsoft Macro Assembler). Let's break this down systematically.

Known Information:

NASM and FASM :
These are open-source assemblers maintained by communities or individual contributors.
Updates depend on the availability of active contributors and maintainers.
If the original authors or maintainers stop contributing (e.g., due to retirement, health issues, or death), the project's future depends on whether other developers step in to continue the work.

MASM64 :
This is a proprietary assembler developed and maintained by Microsoft.
As a commercial product, it is backed by a large organization with dedicated resources for updates.
Updates to MASM64 are tied to Microsoft's business priorities and its support for Windows development.

Intel's Role :
Intel periodically introduces new CPU architectures, registers, and instructions (e.g., AVX-512, AMX, etc.).
These changes require assemblers to be updated to support the new features.

Community vs. Corporate Support :
Open-source projects rely on community contributions, which can be unpredictable.
Proprietary tools like MASM64 are updated based on corporate timelines and resource allocation.

Analysis of the Scenario:

1. What Happens if NASM/FASM Maintainers Stop Contributing?

Short-Term Impact : If the primary maintainers of NASM or FASM stop contributing, the project may temporarily stagnate unless other contributors take over.

Long-Term Impact : The open-source nature of these projects allows anyone to fork the codebase and continue development.
However, this depends on the availability of skilled developers willing to invest time and effort..

Risk : Without active maintenance, these assemblers may lag behind in supporting new Intel features, making them less attractive for cutting-edge development.

2. How Does MASM64 Compare?

Corporate Backing : MASM64 benefits from Microsoft's resources, ensuring timely updates to support new Intel instructions and registers.

Integration with Ecosystem : MASM64 is tightly integrated into Microsoft's development tools (e.g., Visual Studio), making it a natural choice for Windows developers.

Limitation : MASM64 is not open-source, so users cannot modify or extend it themselves. Its updates are entirely dependent on Microsoft.

3. Intel's Influence :

When Intel introduces new registers or instructions, assemblers must be updated to recognize and utilize them.
For MASM64, Intel's documentation and collaboration with Microsoft ensure rapid integration of new features.
For NASM/FASM,etc. updates depend on the community interpreting Intel's documentation and implementing support. This process can be slower, especially if the maintainer pool shrinks.

5. Practical Implications :
Developers relying on NASM/FASM may face delays in accessing new Intel features unless the community actively maintains the tools.

MASM64 users can expect faster updates but are limited to Microsoft's ecosystem and licensing terms.

Conclusion:

If the original authors of NASM, FASM, etc  are no longer able to contribute, the future of these tools depends on the willingness of the community to take over.
In contrast, MASM64 will likely remain up-to-date due to Microsoft's corporate backing and integration with Intel's development roadmap.

Ultimately, the choice between NASM/FASM and MASM64 depends on your priorities:
If you value community-driven development, NASM/FASM may remain viable.
If you prioritize reliability and timely updates, MASM64 is a safer bet.

[NoCforMe]

Hah; you asked "AI" to speculate, and guess what? it did. Magnifique!
So why should we give this any more credence than if you'd asked Joe Blow down at the local pub the same questions? (Joe happens to be a programmer at XYZ Corp. who codes in assembly language.)

Hallucination city!

[jj2007]

it relies on components from older versions of Visual Studio

Nonsense. The only components of VS used in Masm32 are ml.exe and link.exe - and they can be replaced with the Watcom family assemblers plus polink.exe

[TimoVJL]

Good to read this.
https://www.masm32.com/history.htm

[ognil]

  Quote
    (Joe happens to be a programmer at XYZ Corp. who codes in assembly language.)


Joe is a programmer at XYZ Corp. who codes in MASM32 and for this reason he ended up in the pub, where he will always be helped to forget, at least temporarily, that he is a loser. :)

I still don't need alcohol because I have easier and more natural ways to have fun.

I have a problem to upload a zip file here.Voilà.
My Pub.zip
Your file is too large. The maximum attachment size allowed is 512 KB. 0.5 MB

[six_L]

1. Which is more important, inheritance or development?
The coder who uses assembly language cannot do one thing and neglect the other. Sometime "development" is important, another doesn't.

Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Macro Assembler in 1981 and it has been in continuous production ever since being upgraded on a needs basis with operating system and hardware changes, a period of over 30 years. Over its many years of production it has become the defacto industrial standard for x86 assembler in Microsoft operating systems from MS-DOS to current versions of Microsoft Windows.

It is characteristically an industrial software development tool maintained by a major operating system vendor as a component of their own development environment and it has never been compromised to become a user friendly tool at the expense of its capacity. It generally requires experienced assembler programmers who are both familiar with Intel mnemonics and x86 architecture as it is implemented in a range of 32 bit capable Windows operating system.

As a result of Hutch's great work, MASM32 just became successfully a fashion. The logic of many excellent algorithms is based on MASM32 as a carrier. MASM64 give up many characteristic of MASM32. Do you think the "MASM64" will come into a fashion?

why the some software will open source ?
From DeepSeek

Software is often open-sourced for a variety of reasons, ranging from community collaboration to strategic business decisions. Here are some key reasons why some software is open-sourced:
1. Community Collaboration
    Collective Improvement: Open-source software allows developers worldwide to contribute, improving the codebase and adding new features.
    Bug Fixing: A larger community can identify and fix bugs more quickly than a closed team.

2. Transparency and Trust
    Code Review: Open-source software allows users to inspect the code, ensuring there are no hidden vulnerabilities or malicious components.
    Trust Building: Transparency builds trust with users, especially in security-sensitive applications.

3. Cost Efficiency
    Shared Development Costs: By open-sourcing, companies can share the development and maintenance burden with the community.
    Reduced Licensing Costs: Users don't need to pay for licenses, making the software more accessible.

4. Innovation and Flexibility
    Customization: Users can modify the software to meet their specific needs.
    Rapid Innovation: Open-source projects often evolve faster due to contributions from a diverse group of developers.

5. Strategic Business Decisions
    Market Penetration: Open-sourcing can help a company gain market share by making its software widely available.
    Ecosystem Building: Companies can build an ecosystem around their software, encouraging third-party integrations and plugins.

6. Educational Purposes
    Learning Resource: Open-source projects serve as valuable learning resources for students and new developers.
    Skill Development: Contributing to open-source projects helps developers improve their skills and gain experience.

7. Ethical and Philosophical Reasons
    Freedom of Use: Some developers believe software should be freely available to everyone.
    Anti-Monopoly: Open-source can counter the dominance of proprietary software companies.

Examples of Open-Source Software
    Operating Systems: Linux, Android
    Web Browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Chromium
    Development Tools: Visual Studio Code, Git, Fasm
    Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL
    AI: DeepSeek

By open-sourcing software, developers and companies can leverage the power of community collaboration, build trust, and drive innovation while often achieving strategic business goals.

History is created by the masses of people, not the elites. Believing in and relying on the masses of people is the best way to achieve success. Trump's choice of Vance as Vice President demonstrates his people's stance.

[NoCforMe]

I don't get it:
Why are you guys posting all this "AI" crap?
If you're going to quote text, quote some that came from an entity with some intelligence--that is, a fellow hue-mon, not some LLM.

[ognil]

History is made by the masses, not the elites.

The elites create, finance, and control 2 major parties that manipulate the masses of people
according to the principle of "divide and rule".

Trusting and relying on people like Biden by the masses is not the best way to achieve success.

Trump's choice of Vance for vice president demonstrates the position of half of Americans.
Trump's choice of Nancy Pelosi for vice president   
will demonstrate the position of all Americans.