olsen@eecs.nwu.edu (Jeffrey S. Olsen) (05/02/89)
I am looking for a C++ compiler under the MS-DOS enviromnent. Which is better, something like Zortech C++ compiler or a C++ translator like Guideline. Zortech is much cheaper, and therefore more attractive; however I do not wish to waste my money if it is not worth it. Jeff Olsen olsen@eecs.nwu.edu
mrh@camcon.co.uk (Mark Hughes) (05/22/89)
olsen@eecs.nwu.edu (Jeffrey S. Olsen) writes: > I am looking for a C++ compiler under the MS-DOS enviromnent. Which >is better, something like Zortech C++ compiler or a C++ translator like >Guideline. Zortech is much cheaper, and therefore more attractive; >however I do not wish to waste my money if it is not worth it. I can't make comparissons as I only know Zortech's product. After using version 1.07 for about three months I would recommend it with some reservations. The product is generally very robust, comes with very useful C libraries (including fast graphics routines, mouse routines) and seems to produce efficient code. The only area that has given me real problems is using it to produce objects readable be a source line debugger. Starting with CodeView was frustrating. I put a lot of it down to difficulties Zortech may have had in working with someone else's product. However there are similar problems with their own (C) debugger when used with C++. Rule number 1 is don't use *any* inline code while debugging. Inlines in object definitions confuse the debugger, which not surprisingly gets confused when it finds source code in header files. However, this and other features can also cause another problem which results in an invalid object module being prduced when compiled to include source line debugger info. Hence my program of about ten source files includes three which are compiled and linked without the debugger option which prevents me from stepping through them. If I don't do this, they are rejected by the linker. Zortech are working on a dedicated C++ debugger, but I don't think it will necessarily solve this problem, as it is obviously compiler related. Having said that I would still recommend the product. When it works it works beautifully, and after some frustration learning what it doesn't like, I find it a great development environment. No doubt Zortech will be working on the problems I have outlined and may even have fixed them as you read this - if anyone can confirm this I'd like to know! Marks out of ten? Six, and hopefully rising :-) -- ------------------- <mrh@camcon.co.uk> or <...!mcvax!ukc!idec!camcon!mrh> | Mark Hughes | Tel: +44 (0) 223 420024 Cambridge Consultants Ltd. |(Compware . CCL) | Tlx: 931 211 0193 (KZ G) The Science Park, Milton Road, ------------------- BT Gold: 72:MAG70076 Cambridge UK. (Own opinions etc.)