then someone will either (1) jump 'em for not reading the instructions first, (2) verify the problem and explain it, or (3) verify the problem and work out how to fix it.

Now, if you've followed the SDCC mailing lists, not all "complaints" are just whines about something they don't like or can't understand. Nothing will be fixed if people don't report it in some form or other.

People fall into different categories. There are those SDCC users who can't or won't ever understand the inner workings of something like SDCC, and there are those who could, but only after devoting lots of directed effort, for which they lack the will. Some, however, are pretty expert in the generation of software, and, hence, can understand how the compiler and associated utilities work and how to fix 'em when they don't. Among those are some who actually use, and, hence, would benefit from fixing SDCC. A few of them are actually willing to do the work.

The result is that there are people who can and will continue to improve the SDCC. Most people won't, but there are the very few ...

KEIL, on the other hand, is owned by a company that would benefit from the demise of everything not-ARM. How high a priority is it going to continue to be for THEM to keep KEIL-51 users happy?

RE