** 0.5 page CD review / 300 words **

SDK Atari Software Development Kit, reviewed by Colin Monro...

** SDK.GIF here **

This CD-ROM contains 243Mb of programming utilities, compilers, tutorials, hypertexts and source code.
Every programming language I've encountered on the Atari platform along with a few I hadn't are represented here and a high proportion of the material is bang up to date.
There are really useful assemblers and source code converters (C to DSP) for the Falcon's DSP chip along with exotica like a cross compiler for the 6502 processor found in old Atari 8-bit, Vic 20 and other machines.
You'll also find a raft of popular text editors for trimming all that source code, the complete GNU C and, wait for it, the source code for real goodies like Bad Mood, the Falcon Doom clone, Claus Brod's hard disk driver software, and so many other exciting projects I just want to finish this review and get programming!
Although most of the software can be found elsewhere having all the relevant tools, shells, desktops (including Gemini 2 with its UNIX style command line window) in one place brings home the strength in depth available to Atari developers. There are new tools for under-developed languages, including plug-ins to make Modula-2 (an old sparring partner of mine) work with the new kids including MagiC.
Predictably, much of the software and sources are German, but English documentation is included with most of the stuff. Although an index file is included I enjoyed trawling through the folders to see what turned up - impressive and inspiring!

** Product boxout **
SDK Atari Software Development Kit 
Publisher: Softwareservice Seidel
Supplier: 16/32
Telephone: +49 (0)1634 710788
Email: 16/32@premier.co.uk
Cost: £34 + P&P (1.50p EU destinations)
Pros: A must have tonic for all Atari developers
Cons: High German content
Rating: 90%
** end boxout **