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This is an interesting list, given that PC-lint moved to a subscription model. As more tools move to a subscription based model, I don't want to tie myself dow

This is an interesting list, given that PC-lint moved to a subscription model. As more tools move to a subscription based model, I don't want to tie myself down to 5 subscriptions just to maintain some ancient code.

bluGill 3y ago
What is the difference between a subscription and a yearly fee for the new version? When you look at it that way subscriptions make more sense - why wait until the end of the year for a new version (that might have some feature you really need sooner). Of course if you are content to sit back several versions (without support) the above doesn't make sense. As you say, if the code itself you are looking at is ancient and only minimally maintain it isn't worth keeping subscriptions and it would be better to have a permanent license to tools that you won't change.
- ChrisRR 3y ago
  I don't want a yearly fee for a new version, I want to use the same version that I paid for. Especially when you're developing software for safety applications, it becomes important to maintain/archive the same tools/compilers/libraries so that rebuilding old code in a few years still produces the exact same binary. So at that point it's not as important to have the newest and shiniest tools, but more important to pay for a tool once and know that it works reliably.
- kaetemi 3y ago
  The difference between subscription and buying is when a product is discontinued.
  - bluGill 3y ago
    Companies regularly have a clause in their subscription that if the service is discontinued they get a perpetual right to the last version. Sadly this doesn't seem common for consumer software.
- account42 3y ago
  The difference is that with a yearly new version you can evaluate how much money you have available and if the changes are worth it or if you can keep using the old version. With a subscription version the vendor has less incentive to keep improving.

bluGill 3y ago

What is the difference between a subscription and a yearly fee for the new version? When you look at it that way subscriptions make more sense - why wait until the end of the year for a new version (that might have some feature you really need sooner). Of course if you are content to sit back several versions (without support) the above doesn't make sense. As you say, if the code itself you are looking at is ancient and only minimally maintain it isn't worth keeping subscriptions and it would be better to have a permanent license to tools that you won't change.

ChrisRR 3y ago
I don't want a yearly fee for a new version, I want to use the same version that I paid for. Especially when you're developing software for safety applications, it becomes important to maintain/archive the same tools/compilers/libraries so that rebuilding old code in a few years still produces the exact same binary. So at that point it's not as important to have the newest and shiniest tools, but more important to pay for a tool once and know that it works reliably.
kaetemi 3y ago
The difference between subscription and buying is when a product is discontinued.
- bluGill 3y ago
  Companies regularly have a clause in their subscription that if the service is discontinued they get a perpetual right to the last version. Sadly this doesn't seem common for consumer software.
account42 3y ago
The difference is that with a yearly new version you can evaluate how much money you have available and if the changes are worth it or if you can keep using the old version. With a subscription version the vendor has less incentive to keep improving.