alexis@ccnysci.UUCP (Alexis Rosen) (04/16/89)
Well, this is a truly weird state of affairs. According to PC Week, MicroSoft
is about to announce a new version of QuickPascal that compiles Object Pascal,
which Apple developed! Could this language actually be headed for a big
future? Perhaps for compiling MacApp programs under OS/2 Presentation
Manager?
I'd bet a tall stack of bills that that's exactly what MicroSoft wants.
I'd also bet that someone, maybe even MicroSoft, will develope an automatic
translator, or else a subroutine package, to make toolbox calls call equivalent
PM calls. This isn't trivial, but if they do it the Mac's software advantage
disappears overnight. I know this is a very difficult job, since the Mac
and OS/2-PM don't map exactly, but they're probably close enough.
Life's getting very interesting, folks...
---
Alexis Rosen
alexis@ccnysci.{uucp,bitnet}
alexis@rascal.ics.utexas.edu (last resort)kazim@Apple.COM (Alex Kazim) (04/17/89)
In article <1604@ccnysci.UUCP> alexis@ccnysci.UUCP (Alexis Rosen) writes: > >Well, this is a truly weird state of affairs. According to PC Week, MicroSoft >is about to announce a new version of QuickPascal that compiles Object Pascal, >which Apple developed! Could this language actually be headed for a big Gee whiz. I can't wait for IBM to say that Object-Oriented languages is the next wave and they have Object Pascal & C++ out. Then Apple will start getting calls on whether we intend to put out any object languages as MIS directors learn the newest buzz-word. Apple's Object Pascal has been around since the Lisa, and MacApp is about as old. But Apple doesn't do a very good job of spreading the word. About the only thing Object Pascal gets used for is MacApp. (Luckily, you can use MPW now. Plug, Plug.) What it all boils down to is not being the best. It's making people think you're the best, and there are some companies that are really good at that. ======================================================================== Alex Kazim, Apple Computer This soapbox is mine, and in no way connected with Apple Computer ========================================================================
sagen@nucthy.physics.orst.edu (Milt Sagen) (04/17/89)
In article <29080@apple.Apple.COM> kazim@Apple.COM (Alex Kazim) writes: >Gee whiz. I can't wait for IBM to say that Object-Oriented languages is >the next wave and they have Object Pascal & C++ out. Then Apple will start >getting calls on whether we intend to put out any object languages as MIS >directors learn the newest buzz-word. I wouldn't pat your back too hard on this. A C++ for the IBM PC has been available for some time now and it only costs $150. I know Apple has a C++ in the works but as far as I know (which may not be t00 far) there is not at this moment a C++ readily available that runs under the MacOS. Milt Sagen Internet: sagen@nucthy.physics.orst.edu Department of Physics Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 Tele: (503) 754-4631
andrew@ems.Ems.MN.ORG (Andrew C. Esh) (04/17/89)
All MacApp applications must be licensed with Apple, since they make extensive use of Apple produced source code. The moment someone markets a program for OS/2 using MacApp, Apple will sue. This is fair, since it is their code, and it must be used with their computers, according to the license agreement. Object Oriented Pascal on OS/2 would be nice, and with a library of objects that accomplish the same thing as MacApp that is not under an Apple copyright, it would allow easy ports to and from the Mac. If such a level of compatibility could be agreed upon by Apple and Microsoft, it be of mutual benefit. Programmers of either discipline could produce applications for both machines, and more products would migrate. It would be like knowing Unix; you know one, you're close to knowing them all. This increases the value, and the likelyhood, of learning OOPS.
lsr@Apple.COM (Larry Rosenstein) (04/19/89)
In article <10023@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> sagen@nucthy.physics.orst.edu (Milt Sagen) writes: > I wouldn't pat your back too hard on this. A C++ for the IBM PC has been > available for some time now and it only costs $150. I know Apple has a C++ in > the works but as far as I know (which may not be t00 far) there is not at this MPW C++ still hasn't been released. The good news is that C++ is improving, but it is still impossible to predict when it will be available. When we started the C++ project we decided to go with CFront 2.0 from AT&T to get the latest and greatest. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than expected for CFront 2.0 to be released, and we can't release the MPW version until AT&T is done. Object Pascal, however, is relatively mature and works well in the Macintosh environment. MacApp 2.0 is available in beta form, and represents Apple's 3rd generation object-oriented framework, while other companies are still working on their first. Larry Rosenstein, Apple Computer, Inc. Object Specialist Internet: lsr@Apple.com UUCP: {nsc, sun}!apple!lsr AppleLink: Rosenstein1
kazim@Apple.COM (Alex Kazim) (04/19/89)
In article <10023@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> sagen@nucthy.PHYSICS.ORST.EDU (Milt Sagen) writes: > >I wouldn't pat your back too hard on this. A C++ for the IBM PC has been >available for some time now and it only costs $150. I know Apple has a C++ in >the works but as far as I know (which may not be t00 far) there is not at this >moment a C++ readily available that runs under the MacOS. I wasn't sure if I could talk about it, but as Larry pointed out, AT&T hasn't finalized their latest version of C++. Until that happens it would be silly to release something that needed to be revved in six months. I don't know anything about the PC version of it, but I'm curious. Is it a 3rd party or a Big Blue package? And I guess I really was patting myself (actually Apple's back). I think Larry and the rest of the MacApp-OOP people did a great job. It really ought to be a mandantory class for Apple programmers. My gripe is that Apple doesn't push it hard enough. > >Milt Sagen Internet: sagen@nucthy.physics.orst.edu >Department of Physics >Oregon State University >Corvallis, OR 97331 Tele: (503) 754-4631 ======================================================================== Alex Kazim, Apple Computer My ideas. What company would gripe about itself ========================================================================