CompuServe Messages

** Warning to all TDI Modula users ** DO NOT PURCHASE INOVATRONICS POWER WINDOWS version 2.0 SOFTWARE FOR USE WITH TDI MODULA 2. This product generates bug-riddled code. The bugs (so far) come in two flavors: (1) PROCEDUREs written by Inovatronics that PW2 calls in the code it writes are not called correctly. For example, a CHAR array is passed to MakeStringInfoStructure (I think that was the name!) but the procedure expects to see the ADR of the array. In another case, the procedure that makes a requester is passed a NULL followed by 4 INTEGERs when the procedure definition expects to see 4 INTEGERs followed by a NULL. (2) The code generator sometimes hiccups and combines two sequential lines together, with hilarious (and nonfunctional!) results. As a general observation, this product also suffers from a lack of understanding of Modula 2 on the part of its authors (at least I think it does — I'm no expert at the language myself). For example, the IMPORT clauses seem to import everything that's exported from every cited module, not the limited subset of entities actually used. For another example, both the DEFINITION and IMPLEMENTATION modules import the same entities, even though that's not necessary (i.e., you only need IMPORT stuff you're referencing in the module at hand — or at least, I've never been hurt by doing so!). I find this state of affairs very disappointing because the user interface for this product is first rate. THAT part of the program works exactly the way you'd expect it to. #>Mark<# P.S. — In fairness to Inovatronics, I must admit I'm more than normally upset by these problems for two reasons. First, I REALLY like the front end to their product. I can see how very useful it COULD be. Second, the place I bought the stuff from has a very rigid return policy (i.e., not very much of one) that has expired in this case (MORAL — always test the devil out of this stuff RIGHT AWAY, or only deal with stores with more than a 1 week exchange policy!!)