nicolas@csi.forth.gr (Nicolas Chrissakis) (05/27/91)
Dear Modula2 users, In the previous years I used to see adds for modula2 compilers in various magazines. Currently I see no adds for modula2 on the BYTE and other popular magazines. My question is: Is modula2 getting more or less popular? Any answers out there? I am trying to find out if there is any future in modula2 programming beyond the academia. Regards Nicolas Chrissakis Office: +30 81 229368, 229302,221171,229346 Systems Analyst Fax : +30 81 229343, 229342 Foundation of Research Telex : 262389 CCI GR and Technology - Hellas E-mail: nicolas@csi.forth.gr Institute of Computer Science NICOLAS @ ARIADNE P.O.Box 1385, Heraklio, ariadne!nicolas Crete Greece 711 10
Ben.Coleman@f15.n277.z1.fidonet.org (Ben Coleman) (05/28/91)
NC> In the previous years I used to see adds for modula2 compilers NC> in various magazines. Currently I see no adds for modula2 NC> on the BYTE and other popular magazines. I've noticed this, too, though actually, you do see an occasional M2 ad in Byte. I've also noticed that the M2 compilers have been dropped out of the magazine ads from the Programmer's Shop and Programmer's Paradise. OTOH, you do still see M2 ads in Computer Language, which is pretty much oriented to software developers(anyone know what's been seen in DDJ, or any of the other SD mags?). And last time I went thru Programmer's Connection's catalog I got the impression that the number of software Libraries available for M2 was up. NC> My question is: Is modula2 getting more or less popular? I don't have any figures, but I'd bet the answer to that question will depend on what segment of the market you're looking at - the general computer user/ hobby programmer market vs the professional software developer market. Given that what ads you do see for M2 compilers nowadays seem to be pretty much slanted at the latter market, I'd say M2's popularity in the former market is probably dropping, while it is probably at least holding its own in the latter. And to some degree, I would expect that, as M2's advantages show up much more in larger projects than in smaller ones. Ben -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!277!15!Ben.Coleman Internet: Ben.Coleman@f15.n277.z1.fidonet.org
Kevin.Williams@f64.n128.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Williams) (05/29/91)
Hello Nicolas!
In a msg of <27 May 91>, Nicolas Chrissakis writes to All:
NC> Dear Modula2 users,
<grin> Well, I prefer to USE C, but Programming in Modula-2 is nice -- it's harder to goof up.... <smile>
NC> In the previous years I used to see adds for modula2 compilers
NC> in various magazines. Currently I see no adds for modula2
NC> on the BYTE and other popular magazines.
NC> My question is: Is modula2 getting more or less popular?
My guess is neither. It seems to be well known, and accepted, but not terribly popular. The lack of popularity seems to be due to 1) a preponderance of C programmers, leading to the C++ thing; and 2) a sudden supply of almost decent Ada compilers (well, ok, they're BAD compilers, but then the language writers didn't make it easy -- typical US gov't.). I personally prefer C++ to Modula-2, because I DO know what I'm doing on a PC, but when we start talking about bigger machines, then I either want M2 or
Ada (really Ada, if I don't care how fast the program runs.... <grin>).
NC> Any answers out there?
NC> I am trying to find out if there is any future in modula2
NC> programming beyond the academia.
Yes, I think so. I believe that there is a future in programming in ANY language in which you can effectively produce new ideas and/or implement older ones. The question is not really is the language popular, though, but more is the language both workable and improving. I'm not so sure that Wirth is improving the language that much, as the compiler writers just haven't jumped on the bandwagon. Most are trying to get C++ compilers out, and the C++ standard keeps changing (indicating that the language
is thriving -- take a look at the C++ echo...). HOWEVER, for algorithmic exchange, Modula-2 fills the gap just as successfully as its predecessor Pascal, and will continue to do so for a very long time.
kwill
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uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!128!64!Kevin.Williams
Internet: Kevin.Williams@f64.n128.z1.fidonet.orgBernd.Goetz@p21.f815.n302.z2.fidonet.org (Bernd Goetz) (06/01/91)
Hi Nicolas.. NC> and other popular magazines. My question is: Is modula2 getting more NC> or less popular? NC> NC> Any answers out there? I am trying to find out if there is any future NC> in modula2 programming beyond the academia. prologue: C is very popular. why? hm. I think, because you can do anything you want in the any way you can imagine. and it is close to the underlying machine. sure it is possible to do big projects in C. in modula-2 software engineering can be done more clearly. so points as modularization (real), definitions of data and procedures, strong typing make the language programmer-friendlier. besides the point of C being closer to the machine than modula-2 can be solved by more intelligent modula-2-compilers. and they are coming. Wirth developped a new language, by the way: Oberon. I like it. but no one can tell by now where that story leads. for sure it leads to object oriented programming, i suppose. Read Ya Bernd -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!2!302!815.21!Bernd.Goetz Internet: Bernd.Goetz@p21.f815.n302.z2.fidonet.org