clif@intelca.UUCP (Clif Purkiser) (05/02/85)
{Sacrifices to the mythical line eater bug}
I just finished Beta testing a new C compiler for the Mac. The
DeSmet/Ouye C development system for the Macintosh.
My two line review is that it is one of the best bargins for the
Macintosh. A complete C development system, for only $150, about half the
cost of comparable packages.
The DeSmet/Ouye C compiler, is an enhanced version of their very
successful C compiler for the IBM PC. They spent a lot of time, making it
Mac-like, although it has a definite Unix/MS-DOS flavor to it.
The package consists of the following programs:
o C-Compiler: Full K&R implementation with floating point support.
o Version 7 based C
o 1 Pass
o Full support for the Mac toolbox
o Binder/Linker. Fast,standard options
o Assembler (Didn't use, looks fairly standard)
o Librarian (allows the creation of code Libraries)
o Shell: Unix like Shell. Features include
o Shell Scripts
o History support (I like history)
o Allows the setting of paths and default volumes
o Make facility
o Most CSH like programming capabilities
o See - a combination Mouse, and cursor based text editor,
o Based on Intel's very popular AEDIT
(Everyone at Intel really likes this editor. Enough to
port it to the VAX, IBM PC, Xenix systems, and now the Mac)
o Two methods of Cursor control
o Use the mouse
o WordStar control characters (i.e. Command {asdfgxcwe})
o Cut and Paste with either the mouse or the cursor controls
o Menu based
o Macro's
o Fast
o Debugger: small window based debugger with disassembler, patching, etc.
o Video Game - MacBugs shoot up Lisas, Macs, and other PCs
o RAMDISK program
o Misc. Utilites printing, etc.
o Example programs
o 400 page manual
o Surprisingly well written for a couple of engineers.
I have also used the Manx compiler for the Mac fairly extensively, and I
think this packages is as good at only 1/3 the cost.
SPEED:
I have not run benchmarks on it, but Mike Ouye says that he ran the
benchmarks from the article comparing 5 Mac Compilers and his is quite
comparable.
My experience is that the entire Compile, link process is about 20% faster
than the Manx compiler, with everything, but source, in RAM DISK
My major experience with both compilers is bring up a version of Missile
Command for the Mac (someday I will put it in the public domain). My missile
command game (SDI 2000 as I call it, (SDI is the offical name for Reagan's
StarWars ) seems be slightly faster with the DeSmet/Ouye compiler.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
The package is designed to run on a Single drive 128K Mac. I have run it
with a 512K 1 drive machine + RAMDISK without having a huge amount of
problems. (I have since broken down a gotten a second disk drive, God what
a difference.)
I think that you need either a 512K machine or an external drive, to really
use this package, a Hard disk would be ideal.
AVAILABILITY:
The latest Beta version two weeks ago I have recieved is virtually bug
free. The major problem is getting access to a Laser printer to print out
the manual, evidently Apple has been slow on delivering one to C-Ware.
It should be available by May 15 from
C Ware Corporation
P.O Box C
Sunnyvale, CA. 94087
Price: $150.00
Disclaimer
I have no financial interest in C-Ware, or this product. However, I am a
friend of Mike Ouye. I want to see this thing sell, because Mark DeSmet has
promised to port his C source-level debugger to the Mac, if the sales
volumes justify it.
--
Clif Purkiser, Intel, Santa Clara, Ca.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROPROCESSORS
{pur-ee,hplabs,amd,scgvaxd,dual,idi,omsvax}!intelca!clif
{standard disclaimer about how these views are mine and may not reflect
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