#Comeau C++
12 messages in this thread
>Am I correct in thinking that your reference to "…Lattice 5.10a >front
end" means your product does not contain the C subset, and >requires a 'C'
package that does?
No, you are not correct. We demand a C compiler *only* for direct native
object code generation. The C compiler is not expected to be used for
anything else. As mentioned in a previous message, input C++ code is
translated into intermediate compiler tress looking nothing like C or C++
and it just so happens that during the C generation phase that C code is
emitted. Since C is a 99% subset of C++ (there are some slight
differences: for instance C++ demands that all functions *must* have
prototypes), Comeau C++ does "contain" C within it. We do not feel that
the quality of the Lattice C compiler to be what we wanted until the 5.10
release and especially with their a patch (and we look forward to their
version 6!) and hence is why we "suggest" 5.10a although in some sense we
are "requiring" it (the basic premise being that although we can is a very
real sense work with any C compiler, we have make the effort to tailor it
to 5.10a and furthermore are comfortable after having worked with it these
past few months).
In reference to your earlier questions, the can be found below.
>Forgive me, but I'm not familiar with Comeau Computing.
No prob. I suspect that I'm being perceived by some as having just
magically popped up out of the woodworks!
We were mainly a UNIX only firm until recently, so chances are very good
that the Amiga community has not heard of us, although personally, I am well
know in the C community.
>Could you tell us a little about the history of the company
>and what other platforms currently have your C++ compiler and for how long?
What follows is a message I posted somewhere else just recently as well as some
addition information. I believe it provides more information than what you've
asked for, but I have kept it in to provide a more accurate picture since I
think that may be part of what you're asking.
(continues)
(continued)
We have Comeau C++ ports for:
MS-DOS($250), all UNIX 386's ($250), XENIX 386 ($250), AT&T UNIX PC 7300
and 3B1 ($375)… we also have it for the AT&T 3B2, Sun-3, and IBM RS/6000
at $1000+ prices. We are also working on an OS/2 port to literally be
released any day now (also for $250).
We are also in the process of some other non-DOS, non-UNIX ports as well,
some to "funky" stuff like the Data General MV4000 running AOS/VS as well
as some additional UNIX ports (Sun Sparc, etc). We are also sitting here
just waiting to press the button when Mark Williams finally releases
a >64K per process version of COHERENT. And then some.
(continues)
(continued)
>And how does Comeau C++ compare to the other compiler on the market?
It doesn't. First of all, Comeau C++ is the world's only 2.1 spec
compatible C++ for some 10 months now. Ditto for being the world's
only compiler that is compatible with the ANSI C++ base document.
(BTW, this was true of our 2.0 port as well. It was released in
August 1989 as the world's first 2.0 compatible C++. Our 2.1 port
was released in May 1990 the same week that both Borland and
Glockenspiel released their 2.0 ports!).
Furthermore, we do stuff totally unheard of in the industry like:
60-day money-back guarantee, free shipping and handling (and shipping
is done 2nd day UPS at that!) and free lifetime technical support
(and BTW, we just opened up a BIX technical support conference [j comeau]
in addition to being able to be contacted on Compuserve [72331,3421],
Usenet [attmail!csanta!c++], voice [718-945-0009] and fax [718-441-0552]
as well).
Obviously our multi-platform support just cannot be matched by any other
vendor. This guarantees you transparent portability of your code when
you move from platform to platform.
I think being 2.1, low priced, multi-platformed, robust, and then being
willing to stand behind out product with free technical support says a
lot.
And under MS-DOS: another benefit I forget to mention is that the $250 prices
includes a DOS-extended version of Comeau C++ so that does not need to be an
additional $100 or so like some other vendors charge.
(continues)
(continued)
>I have not heard of Comeau C++.
As mentioned earlier we are 6 years old and mostly know in the UNIX
commercial software field and C community. We do "advertise all over the place"
since we've been selling Comeau C++ (2 years now). Mags include: UNIXREVIEW,
Computer Language, The C Users' Journal, The C++ Report, The C++ Journal,
The Journal of Object Oriented Programming…. let's see… we've also put
"spot ads" into UNIX Today!, UNIXWORLD, Dr. Dobbs. I'm sure there's a few
I've left out here.
>Who are your vendors?
We sell direct. That's another facet of Comeau C++ we consider a benefit.
That way there are no run-a-rounds. We deal with us and only us. Some
dealers do consistently order from us (locals in specific cities, as well
as places like Egghead), and we do now have an account with The
Programmer's Shop.
>What kind of debugging support?
Under System V UNIX, Comeau C++ works with sdb. Under BSD based
UNIX's, it works with dbx. Under MS-DOS it works with CodeView.
(continues)
(continued)
>Could you tell us a little about the history of the company
This is taken from our literature:
Comeau Computing is a 6 year old, privately held company. It originally
started as a consulting firm and quickly moved into the UNIX commercial
software world with some off-the-shelf programmer tools. CCsh, a UNIX Bourne
Shell Compiler, was the most popular of these. During 1988, we decided it was
time to make a commitment to C++ as explained below.
>Where does Comeau C++ 2.1 fit into "the big picture"?
Comeau C++ is based on AT&T's cfront, the industry standard C++. We introduced
Comeau C++ 1.2.1 in January 1989. We were the first vendor to release a 2.0
compatible C++ with Comeau C++ 2.0, released in August 1989. That was quickly
followed by releases from other vendors. We kept adding additional UNIX ports
and in February 1990 hit another first with the official release of Comeau
C++ 2.0 for MS-DOS. At that point we were proud to know we had hit a major
milestone. Soon thereafter, during May 1990, we released Comeau C++ 2.1 for
all our previously supported platforms. At that time, it was safe to say that
we were a major international C++ vendor. As of February 1991, after 10 months,
we are still the only vendor to not only reach this goal, but to surpass it.
Furthermore, we are currently involved in numerous projects involving
non-UNIX/non-MS-DOS ports of Comeau C++. We also expect to enter the C++
library and tool market during 1991.
Comeau Computing is a highly visible company offering Comeau C++ as a high
quality, low cost solution available on multiple platforms, from the smallest
PC to largest supercomputer, allowing you to protect your investment.
(continues)
(continued)
Hope this thread wasn't too long and answered all your questions.
BTW, another often asked question is:
>Who am I?
The CEO of Comeau Computing, Greg Comeau, is an internationally renowned
expert in UNIX, C, and C++. His series of definitive C articles, which
appeared in the Microsoft Systems Journal, have become classics in the C
community. Greg was the System Administration columnist for UNIX Today!
magazine, again making the history books, as the most widely read UNIX
technical columnist ever. He has also written for BYTE, PC Magazine and
others. His recent writing endeavors will be about C++ and will be appearing
in The C++ Journal, The C++ Report, and the Microsoft Systems Journal in the
coming months. Greg is also well known on information services such as
Compuserve, BIX and others. On BIX, he is the moderator of c.language and
c.plus.plus conferences. On these services, he avails himself to literally
thousands of UNIX, C, and C++ programmers. He also partakes in giving
lectures to local user groups and at industry technical conferences.
Greg,
Thanks for the detailed reply! I expect I'll be hearing a lot more about
your products for the Amiga in the future.
— Jane H. (Writing, it's easier read than done.)
>Thanks for the detailed reply!
No prob.
>I expect I'll be hearing a lot about your products for the >Amiga in the
future.
I'll guarantee ya that! 😉
You're located in Brooklyn/Queens? (I see a 718 area code) Where is the
headquarters?
— Ethan
We're in Queens.
Thanks for the clarification. I was a bit confused since I know there are
some C++ packags in the PC world that need a 'C' front end, so to speak,
while others, like the Zortech C++ I have, don't.