CompuServe Messages

Steve: I never heard that before. My impression was that most compilers, including the Unix C compiler, first converted C source to Asm source. I read several times that Lattice compiled to a "proprietary" quad file. Whether that meant "proprietary" to Lattice, or "proprietary" to Commodore was never revealed. In either event, it implied to me that the Lattice compiler output is not what could be called, "universal", although it may be termed, "official", as you pointed out. I never knew you could do much with it, other than link and run it. With the Aztec, you can study it and even massage it before proceeding, if desired. Aztec assembler "quirks" result from the switches used. You can have it compile Metacomco assembly if you want it to. It is very agile. According to certain magazine articles, some writers use it as their only assembler. Our correspondent wanted to write games. He already owns the Lattice, so my argument is moot. My point was only that if he had the Aztec, he could have massaged his compiler output, had he wanted, so adaptable is it. I speak from an amateur's experience in using both compilers when I say that what IS important to the student of games and hacks is the fact that the vast bulk of available example code, from Schwab, Ozer, Dillon and half dozen others will be found written with AZTEC alone. That, in fact, is precisely the reason I acquired one. I can tick off a couple features exclusive to Aztec which the user is free to use or ignore, one of which makes 99% of all source code around here compile a darned sight smaller and execute a tad quicker. Regards Tom