rtb@ihuxi.UUCP (11/17/83)
I thought I'd spark a litlle interest in this net by revieing APX's
Deep Blue C Compiler. I was really attracted to this compiler because
it had a lot of predefined functions that I wouldn't have to write
myself. They include I/O , graphics and player missle graphics.
My initial goal in using this compiler is to create a growing
library of modules (functions) that I could plug together in various
games and graphics programs. I won't go into to much detail as to
what the compiler has and doesn't have because that information is in
the APX catalog. Compilation time is a little slow for my liking, it
takes about 3 - 5 minutes to compile and link a small (100 line)
program. Also, disk space runs out fast because the compile and link
programs are big, but a 2 drive system or 1 double density drive
could solve that problem I'm sure. Since I have 1 drive I keep
all compile files on 1 drive and all link files on another drive.
When I get a CCC file from the compiler I transfer it to the link
disk and link it from there. The graphics and player missle graphics
libraries are really nice, a lot of the commands are just like equivalent
Basic commands. I have had lots of problems with th plmove command
and I suspect it has a bug or two in it. It wouldn't be hard to rewrite
the function which is what I might end up doing. Another nice thing
is that the source code for all the functions are given. Also, two
programs are given for examples. Reading the source code for the
Bounce function can tell you a LOT about how to use the player
missle commands. I just found out that a math library is available
from APX ($17) that will include the type float and math functions.
I think that all in all the Deep Blue C Compiler is an excellent
value for $50. With the new Atari Computers coming out you will be
able to have a 64k disk C system for less than $650 ($335 for drive,
$250 for 800xl, advertised discount proces). By the way, if you
want to learn C I reccomend that you get a copy of "Programming
in C" by Stephen Kochan, published by Hayden, it is an execellent
and easy to read book. I don't work for Atari or APX and I don't
sell these programs, nor does this article reflect the opinions
of my employer, Western Electric. As my library of functions for the Atari
grows, I will be willing to share or trade what I have written
with other users of the net. Let's see some other reviews of
products for the Atari on this net.
R.T. Bradstrum
Western Electric @ BTL Naperville
ihuxi/i1/rtb