This is an archive of CompuServe forum messages from 1985 to 1995, as saved in transcripts by John Foust.
Search Results (148 messages)
In retrospect, that is true, to some degree. At least some standards, beyond basic syntax, are part of the C language. Modula-2 has really only one or two "standard" libraries from which to borrow. And those aren't guaranteed to be identical amoung various implementations.
But the lack of any kind of standard for Modula-2 is a real hindrence. I found more portability in C then anything in Modula-2. There are now 4 available Modula-2 compilers for the Amiga and even fairly simple code has to be fixed to compile for each one. Everyone seems…
Leon – If CA is really working on business users the way they say are, it may improve the market for a DBase/RBase type application considerably. It may be a good idea not to let that database gather too much dust. BTW, cudos for your decision on beta user support.
#3314-
>giggle<
Message #3356
I have no idea how well the new Modula-2 product from M2S will be but it will also be selling for around $200 (See the messages in the M2S vendor forum here). The cheap alternative for programming this thing at the moment is the PDC compiler available in the dls…
#3256-
Is Leon Perfect?
Message #3355
Thanx. Now you're no longer "Steve F-whatsacallits".
#3255-
Drivel from an Idiot
Message #3354
I like to create clean code but I have a bad habit of not preparing well and creating some gawd-awful stuff at times. I find that most good programmers keep their jumps at a minimum. I'm sure that it helps in maintaining ones own code as well as making it…
#22844-
Lattice C Ver 5.0
Message #23537
One thing that has helped me a lot in learning C code a little quicker is having access to a HP9000 mini. It compiles very, very fast and only does a core dump when my code goes whacko. I think that has helped reduce the time I spend with the…
Don't be sorry. That was an accurate description of the situation. One of the better and less blantantly biased ones we've seen around here lately.
My comment was made more in jest then anything else. The problem I had was in editing the message I'd just written. I did a search and replace and it appeared to work until I previewed the message. No correction had been made. The editor I'm using is the one…
Larry – Your views/opinions/facts are always aprreciated. Folks should be aware of potential and/or real problems with a product before purchasing it. I've had to deal with Microsoft recently and their products and customer support are (at least from my experience) excellent. So now I'm a bit spoiled and expect…
It's true that the TDI compiler is NOT a "totally unusable product" but it certainly does (did?) have it's share of flaws; many of which should have been caught before the product was shipped. The fixes I posted here were sent (verbally) to TDI in Dallas. A few weeks after…
#132952-
#TDI vs Benchmark
Message #133124
Larry – Wouldn't it have been nice though to have one Modula-2 system for the Amiga have the quality/price/performance that we all deserve. TDI's and Avante Garde's problems have been well chronicled. We're all too often put in the position of having to deal with what's available rather than being…
#132952-
#TDI vs Benchmark
Message #133124
Larry – Wouldn't it have been nice though to have one Modula-2 system for the Amiga have the quality/price/performance that we all deserve. TDI's and Avante Garde's problems have been well chronicled. We're all too often put in the position of having to deal with what's available rather than being…
Modula-2 and Amiga I/O
Message #132933
Joe – The WriteString(), WriteLn(), etc., functions only work with DOS windows. You found that out when you used OpenInputOutput(). There are some libraries available that allow you to perform simple I/O with Intuition windows. Rob Peck's book "Programmer's Guide to the Amiga" has examples (in C). If you're interested…
Larry – I don't want to argue the merits of TDI and their Modula-2 system but is Benchmark just a "little extra money". If you get everything, you're dropping about $500 (if my memory serves me correctly). I must admit that from what I've seen of it Benchmark is an…
#132581-
#Contd.. Modula-2/Amiga
Message #132664
Phil – I see a lot of folks using Wirth's single pass compiler. Is there any chance you all might go the same route? It would require revamping the entire system but the pluses just might outweigh the minuses. Also, just for the record, I purchased an MS-DOS Modula-2 compiler…
I feel that the price TDI gets for the "regular" version is fairly reasonable. But the cost for the other two versions are a bit out of line for what you get. I haven't had all that much trouble with the product either. I use the compiler and linker from…
I feel that the price TDI gets for the "regular" version is fairly reasonable. But the cost for the other two versions are a bit out of line for what you get. I haven't had all that much trouble with the product either. I use the compiler and linker from…
Try something like: VAR p : POINTER TO something; BEGIN ALLOCATE(p, TSIZE(something)); . . . DEALLOCATE(p, TSIZE(something)); END…… That should be identical. The NEW and DISPOSE functions just alleviated the problem of getting the allocation size. The dropping of them just simplfied matters for the most part.
Try something like: VAR p : POINTER TO something; BEGIN ALLOCATE(p, TSIZE(something)); . . . DEALLOCATE(p, TSIZE(something)); END…… That should be identical. The NEW and DISPOSE functions just alleviated the problem of getting the allocation size. The dropping of them just simplfied matters for the most part.
I left some mail to Leon a while back suggesting that he let sleeping dogs lye and give the folks that purchased BM from Oxxi a better deal than he was offering. I received no reply. I guess he wants to take out his differences with Oxxi on the folks…
I left some mail to Leon a while back suggesting that he let sleeping dogs lye and give the folks that purchased BM from Oxxi a better deal than he was offering. I received no reply. I guess he wants to take out his differences with Oxxi on the folks…
#124418-
Term programs
Message #124759
I rather figured that was what OnLine! was doing but not being privy to the source (or wanted to try to figure out a disassembly) I was't really sure. Sounds like something all the terms should do.
#124339-
Term programs
Message #124757
That's the one that doesn't go off. One of these days I'll get a REAL modem but this AT&T modem has served me well and you just can't beat the price. If anyone is interested in setting up a multi-line system with some inexpensive but dependable 1200 baud modems I…
I realize that the serial.device isn't "answering the phone". Basically I'm just wondering what OnLine! does on exit that none of the pd term programs do. My modem hasn't the foggiest notion what Hayes commands are. If I simply open the serial.device my modems DTE light comes on. When I…
I realize that the serial.device isn't "answering the phone". Basically I'm just wondering what OnLine! does on exit that none of the pd term programs do. My modem hasn't the foggiest notion what Hayes commands are. If I simply open the serial.device my modems DTE light comes on. When I…
I'll try upping the stack. The ma files are "stock" ones on the demo disks. I'm sure it's the stack. Thanx for reminding me. I think I'll hang a note on the monitor "Check the stack!!!".
Steve – Out of curiosity I once tried to ZAP some TDI code with the correct lib offsets. For the record, the compiler/linker won't accept ZAPped files. Wrong checksums or something along those lines. Tjhought I'd mention it for anyone thinking they can fix a buggy file that way. I…
I certainly can identify with that position. I've been off on so many tangents lately I've accomplished absolutely nothing of any substance in the last few months. Later…. (* ET *)
Jim – Just use some of the example code around and write your own binding routine for RefreshGList. It's quite simple once you see some examples of how it's done.
I'm having a little trouble following the code "online" but a couple things possibly: Why did you eliminate the additional procedure code using the (*$P-*)? It should work fine with it. Also, make sure your task doesn't try to do any AmigaDOS. That causes a crah (er, crash) for sure.…
FIXES
Message #118920
I managed to replicate one of TDI's bugs in the fixes I posted here recently. The BltClear() function isn't fixed. You really didn't need it anyway, did you. Did you?? (* Erv "Oh well, at least I tried" Thompson *)
The compiler file in the "newest" release is now 163252 bytes. Each time I receive new disk from TDI the compiler and linker files sizes are different than the previous. Never a mention of changes, though.
I haven't had too many gurus from the compiler but the linker sometimes exits quite rudely. I'm running it all from VD0: so that may have something to do with it. The editor, I finally found out, looks for syntax.ind in the C: dir. I just took a peek; the…
Only occasionally do they change a date when changing a file. It'd be a nice way to keep track. The problems I've found are rather minor – unless you just happen to need to use a procedure with a bug in it. If found problems with a handfull of procedures…
TDI "UPGRADES"
Message #115794
I just got another handful of disks from TD the mail a couple days ago. I guess it'supposed to be the fixes, et. al., for 3.00a. The developer utilities seem to work ok, and the editor seems fixed (it actually has found the .erm file every time – it still…
TDI "UPGRADES"
Message #115794
I just got another handful of disks from TD the mail a couple days ago. I guess it'supposed to be the fixes, et. al., for 3.00a. The developer utilities seem to work ok, and the editor seems fixed (it actually has found the .erm file every time – it still…
#Modula-2 system
Message #114249
I just found a copy of Modula Corp's MS-DOS Modula compiler and snatched it up (got a real good deal from a retailer). Kind of interesting package. The .exe linker creates some huge files. The standard "gcd.mod" file in executable form is about 40K. I have what may be a…
#FILE I/O
Message #114248
I never used TP so couldn't say for sure but all things being equal it sure should be.
The Modula-2 syntax (regardless of implementation) uses a set of more or less "standard" I/O calls to access disk files. Typically you can use the procedures in InOut to do your Open()/Close(). Benchmark has the "standard" FileSystem module to handle the rest.
A thought just occured to me. The same "method" could be apllied to the libraries. If you needed a particular version than just close and then open. I presume the lib pointers are global. They are aren't they?
There is a brief (very brief!) review of the Stoney Bro2 compiler in a recent "Journal of Pascal…". It seems to produce very small executables and benchmarks indicate it's pretty quick code also.
TDI used some routines for single precision floats that were originally written in about 1982. The routines for the doubles were taken from some code for the MAC. Just thought I'd mention those things. I don't know if there is any real advantage to using IMPORTed math routines like that…
RE: Message to Steve F. One of thes days I will learn to thinkith before I speakith. By the way – liked your review. In spite of the fact I have the beta version of BM right here in front of me there are lots of things I don't know…
Some rather learned Amiga friends pointed out that using ffp can be a real plus in that it may be re-written to take advantage of a math co-processor if ones out there. So, based on that, using the disk lib is certainly beneficial. About the NEW/DISPOSE: Upon rereading some of…
One of the highest recommendations I heard for Benchmark came from a hardcore C type I know who said they were thinking about getting 'it. I have a loaner (beta version) of BM and will probably never see th efinal release so you all will have to keep me informed.…
#Article
Message #112931
You mentioned in your Benchmark review that NEW and DISPOSE had been removed from the formal definition of Modula-2 by Wirth. Is there a document beyond "3rd, Corrected…" that decribes some of this later formalization. Also is Leon going to implement his own fp functions (like TDI has in AMIGAX.mod)?…
Your point is well taken. Since I've never seen the docs for the Amiga C compilers, Manx and Lattice, I can't make much of a comment about how those folks handled their manuals. From some comments I've heard around here those manuals generally stuck to discussing their respective compilers. TDI…
#110287-
Addtask in TDI
Message #110625
I'm still not sure if it's the job of the folks writing compilers to tutor you on the language syntax. In your example a PROCEDURE name is an ADDRESS (pointer to..) by language definition not by compiler spec. TDI, for example, isn't at all clear as to the use of…
#110287-
Addtask in TDI
Message #110625
I'm still not sure if it's the job of the folks writing compilers to tutor you on the language syntax. In your example a PROCEDURE name is an ADDRESS (pointer to..) by language definition not by compiler spec. TDI, for example, isn't at all clear as to the use of…
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