#"C" language on Amiga
12 messages in this thread
To All,
I am currently taking a course in "C" language and would like to know what I
would have to do to write programs on the Amiga2000HD. Is the Amiga set up for
"C" language or is the purchase of a processor necessary? Also are there any
differences in writing on an IBM and an Amiga?
Steve
Stephen,
Yes, you need to purchase a C compiler. The current best choice is
SAS/C v7 (I think it's up to version 7).
Yes, there are differences…lots of things are in the standard Amiga
library. Different library calls than for an IBM. The Amiga is a
multi-tasking computer, so you need to be concerned about things like "busy
waits" (looping until an event happens rather than waiting for an event to
happen).
The standard C library calls are all the same though.
Don
> Yes, you need to purchase a C compiler. The current best choice is
> SAS/C v7 (I think it's up to version 7).
They've only reached 6.5 as far as I know, then again we are usually a bit
behind the times here. I was a bit surprised to hear that the addition of
C++ capability didn't push the version number up one. I'm expecting my 6.5
upgrade any day now.
Peter Wade
Autopiloting from London, England
Really, it is version 6.50, i.e. six-point-fifty, 41 more than, say, 6.9,
and so the C++ addition pushed the 6.3 version up by alot!
C is very standard and unix-like at a basic text-interface level, but when
you start playing with Amiga/Windows/Mac interfaces, you start to rely on
custom 'toolbox' functions. The Amiga should help prepare a programmer
for NT, and other multi-tasking systems.
When it comes to multitasking, the Amiga looks like one of the nicest
systems I've come across, although I haven't got very far into programming
it yet. At work I have worked on multitasking applications in C, Pascal
and even Z-80 assembler in the distant past.
I'm certainly glad that there is now a C++ compiler for the Amiga. I've
given up trying to persuade my company to let me go on any C++ courses so
it looks like I'll have to learn it myself. I almost gave up waiting and
bought a PC.
Peter Wade
Autopiloting from London, England
Hi Stephen,
You'll probably get lots of answers to this one, but I'll add my bit
anyway.
You will need to obtain a C compiler because you do not get one with
the Amiga. If you don't mind spending quite a bit of money, SAS C is
a good compiler. In England it costs about 330 pounds. It really
needs a hard disc and quite a bit of memory. If you don't want to buy
a commercial compiler there is a shareware C compiler called Dice. I
haven't used this but I've heard a lot of good reports of it.
As far as differences between Amiga and IBM are concerned, the C language
is the same, and most of the C library functions which do not do screen
handling will probably be the same. The big difference is in keyboard and
screen handling. The Amiga has built in functions for graphics, sound,
windows, gadgets etc. The PC does not. If you are programming with Windows
on the PC there is a standard set of functions for graphics and window
control which is completly different from the Amiga. If you are not using
windows you will probably have a graphics library produced by the people
who supply the compiler.
Peter Wade
Autopiloting from London, England
In a sense, "C" is two languages in one. "Generic" C uses the
standard calls (fprint, fopen, etc.), works from the console's
keyboard/window and is highly portable. In fact, you hardly need
know what machine you are using as you program. Chances are, your
introductory course in C will work entirely at that level. Oh, and
when you hear stories about how totally portable C programs are, they
are often based on the idea of generic programs.
System-specific C can produce a glorious world of windows, graphics,
sound, animation, and all that jazz on the Amiga. There begin to be
real differences between systems. You learn to be sensitive to
multi- tasking (different rules on different platforms), and start
picking through the details of operating systems or "libraries" (as
the Amiga equivalent facilities are called). More fun, more
challenge, less compatibility between systems.
The most widely used top-of-the-line C compiler for the Amiga is
undoubtedly SAS C (renamed from Lattice C), although some users swear
by the closest competitor, Aztec.
The most widely used low-priced C compiler is Matt Dillon's DICE.
Practically speaking, you can't get a free C compiler since the
include files, an essential part of such a system, are copyrighted by
Commodore and must be licensed.
There may be other opinions on these and other packages that you
will see posted here. But one thing for sure: you can indeed
program in C on the Amiga.
Hello Karl,
I agree with you. The Picasso is really fast and the Workbench emulation
is fantastic. And you can create other Screenmodes with PicassoMode. I'm
running Autopilot on a 640×512 Picasso screen now. If you have AmigaDos
3.0 or better you can run a lot of AGA programs on Picasso Screens ( Have
you ever played Megaball AGA on your A2000?).
Cya(o) Rainer
** Rainer Marks Osdorfer Landstra_e 365 22589 Hamburg Germany **
++ Fido: 2:240/5020.99 Z-Netz: R_MARKS@PEOPLE-S.zer.sub.org
Rainer, does Megaball work on the Picasso? That's good news, perhaps some
other games will go through the operating system then, and we'll be able
to play them. Let me know if you find anything else that works.
-Karl Speaking from the Rubble.
Hello Karl,
yesterday I read a Message from Karl Bihlmeier in the Village
Tronic Mailbox, where he wrote that Dpaint AGA will work on a Picasso
screen with PicassoMonitor V 2.14. But I couldn't try it myself because I
dont't have Dpaint,
Anims ont the Picasso are very fast, if they run in Chunky pixel mode.
There is also a great programm, to convert different anim types and to
make anims from pics. It is called Mainactor. You can find the V1.21 in
Library 14 of Amigaarts forum under the name Actor.lha.
Anims are really fast on the Picasso, if they run in chunky pixel mode.
MPEG videos are much faster on the Picasso, but they are not fast enough
on my A2000/A2630.
Cya(o) Rainer
** Rainer Marks Osdorfer Landstra_e 365 22589 Hamburg Germany **
++ Fido: 2:240/5020.99 Z-Netz: R_MARKS@PEOPLE-S.zer.sub.org
Thanks for the info…I'm tring to decide which board to get and Picasso looks
like the best so far.. expecially if it runs DPAINT AGA!
-Tom-
Kent,
I'm not Pete, but I've got GigaMem with my Oktagon.
GigaMem give you the choose to emaulate the memory on a partition or in a
file. But if you have the memory in a file, programs which use the virtual
memory shouldn't use the partition on which the memfile is.
All other programs could use the partition in any way.
I think GigaMem is a very good program and it is very easy to configure.
Cya(o) Rainer
** Rainer Marks Osdorfer Landstra_e 365 22589 Hamburg Germany **
++ Fido: 2:240/5020.99 Z-Netz: R_MARKS@PEOPLE-S.zer.sub.org