CompuServe Messages

MIPS & other benchmarks

    14-Nov-92 12:15:57
Fm: Ron Legro 75136,2066
To: Suresh Kavan 76004,311
PC apps are probably better written, not necessarily from a functionality standpoint, but in terms of efficiency. PC software makers had to be clever over the years to make up for the machine's limits, e.g., 640K main memory. Many PC apps use tight code and clever overlays, and there are plenty of languages and routines that programmers can avail themselves of. For real elegance, look at GeoWorks for the PC. Great software (though totally overshadowed by Windows). Runs OK even on an 8088 machine. And where did the authors cut their eye teeth? On a Commodore 64, of course, where efficiency and compact code was even more vital. The wealth of Amiga/Mac features and programmability might tend to lead to sloppy use of resources. Then again, top Amiga or Mac software can hold their own against all competitors.