.th BC VI 6/12/72 .sh NAME bc \*- B interpreter .sh SYNOPSIS .bd bc [ .bd -c ] files ... .sh DESCRIPTION .it Bc is the UNIX B interpreter. It accepts three types of arguments: .s3 Arguments whose names end with .bd .b are assumed to be B source programs; they are compiled, and the object program is left on the file the file whose name is that of the source with .bd .o substituted for .bd .o. .s3 Other arguments, except for .bd -c, are assumed to be either loader flag arguments, or B-compatible object programs, typically produced by an earlier .it bc run, or perhaps libraries of B-compatible routines. These programs, together with the results of any compilations specified, are loaded (in the order given) to produce an executable program with name .bd a.out. .s3 The .bd -c argument suppresses the loading phase, as does any syntax error in any of the routines being compiled. .s3 The language itself is described in [1]. .s3 The future of B is uncertain. The language has been totally eclipsed by the newer, more powerful, more compact, and faster language C. .sh FILES file.b input file .br a.out loaded output .br b.tmp1 temporary (deleted) .br b.tmp2 temporary (deleted) .br /usr/lang/bdir/b[ca] translator .br /usr/lang/bdir/brt[12] runtime initialization .br /usr/lib/libb.a builtin functions, etc. .br /usr/lang/bdir/bilib.a interpreter library .sh "SEE ALSO" [1] K. Thompson; MM-72-1271-1; Users' Reference to B. .br cc(I) .sh DIAGNOSTICS see [1].