scott@hpcvck.UUCP (03/23/87)
I recently purchased the Datalight C compiler. I purchased the more expensive version (Optimum-C, with the Global Optimizer). I am very pleased with this compiler. It is very easy to use, very fast, and generates fast code (especially with the optimizer!) I got 724 drhystones with the optimized version on a HP110 portable computer. The documentation is lacking a bit, but in general is usable. The compiler generates all models, and can be used on *any* MSDOS machine (not just "true" compatibles). This point was very important to me. I have a HP150 and HP110, and they are not fully IBM compatible. I also purchased MIXC, to see what it was like. The manual is very good (~450 pages with tutorial!), and the compiler supports full K&R with some extensions. Some UNIX compatible functions are included. It also has a speedup program for increasing the execution speed. MIXC is good for someone just getting into C, who doesn't care about the execution speed. It is fairly *slow*. Compared to Datalight C, it was about 50% slower when running the sieve program, but it only came in at 57 drhystones on the HP110, which puts the 110/MIXC combo on the order of an Apple IIe when running the drhystone benchmark. If you already know C, and want to get a good, fast cheap compiler, I would go with Datalight. I should also mention that it trys to be compatible with Lattice C, and all differences are mentioned in the documentation. Scott Linn hplabs!hp-pcd!hpcvck!scott