peter@ficc.uu.net (Peter da Silva) (02/15/90)
In article <48a441bf.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM> nelson_p@apollo.HP.COM (Peter Nelson) writes: > What if I have a 1-hour program that I want to stop after 5 > minutes because I don't like the way it's turning out? I could > type Break or ctrl-C except that once Zortech enters graphics > mode it disables this feature! Good for them. The way most C compilers implement 'BREAK' is a total sham. DOS does not provide the support to do the job right, so DOS programs have to poll the keyboard periodically looking for ^C (yes, I know it's a *little* more complicated than that, but it comes down to checking for ^C periodically). Since you're doing that polling anyway, why not do something like: while(stuff is going on) { do useful work(); if(kbhit()) { switch(getch()) { case CTRL('C'): set exit flag; ... } } if(exit flag) break; } clean_up_after_yourself(); After all, this is what you're doing anyway. Why not do it explicitly? > And, as far as I can tell, none > of the "get" string or character functions (getc, getch, etc) > Zortech supplies will return without *waiting for a keystroke*, > so I can't write a routine which periodically checks to see if > anyone has typed "quit" or something from the keyboard. See above. kbhit() is a handful of lines long. If Zortec doesn't provide one, a few minutes perusal of your DOS manual should handle it. I'm directing followups to comp.sys.ibm.pc.programmer. Congratulations on being the first resident of the new group. > Zortech itself had no helpful suggestions on this either except to > reboot the machine (gee, thanks) but one of their experts is > going to take a closer look at this issue. Sounds like Zortech needs a few new experts. -- _--_|\ Peter da Silva. +1 713 274 5180. <peter@ficc.uu.net>. / \ \_.--._/ Xenix Support -- it's not just a job, it's an adventure! v "Have you hugged your wolf today?" `-_-'
kdq@demott.COM (Kevin D. Quitt) (02/16/90)
If you're using kbhit(), make sure you don't call it more often than
about once a second. For some stupid reason, that call eats the cpu. Try
it in a null loop. I can't understand why it takes so long.
By the way, I've had no trouble catching control-c in microsoft c using
the signal mechanism.
kdq
--
Kevin D. Quitt Manager, Software Development
DeMott Electronics Co. VOICE (818) 988-4975
14707 Keswick St. FAX (818) 997-1190
Van Nuys, CA 91405-1266 MODEM (818) 997-4496 Telebit PEP last
34 12 N 118 27 W srhqla!demott!kdq kdq@demott.comabh0@GTE.COM (Andrew Hudson) (02/16/90)
I would be interested in hearing about people's experiences with Zortech's C++ compiler, both good and bad. - Andrew Hudson abh0@gte.com
nelson_p@apollo.HP.COM (Peter Nelson) (02/22/90)
Walter Bright posts...
:DOS programming, graphics programming, and C++ programming are all
:complex subjects. All the 'problems' you're having appear to be caused
:by lack of familiarity with these topics. I recommend that you read:
But remember, that ALL of these questions, and many others, were
brought to the Zortech tech support staff first. And were only
passed on to the net when they didn't know the answers!
[ Btw, 'graphics programming' is what I do for a living; I'm quite
certain I know at least as much about it than anyone at Zortech.
This does not mean that I know much about what passes for computer
graphics in the PC world. And the "flash graphics" library
is Zortech's creation so it isn't unreasonable to assume that
they know how to make it work. ]
...and Peter da Silva posts
:> Zortech itself had no helpful suggestions on this either except to
:> reboot the machine (gee, thanks) but one of their experts is
:> going to take a closer look at this issue.
:
:Sounds like Zortech needs a few new experts.
Zortech clearly needs to bolster their tech support. The people
I've spoken to there have seemed sincere but I don't think there
is a *single case* where they knew the answer to any of my
questions!
I've had better luck with their BBS. Walter Bright and Joe Huffman
monitor the board (I think its Walter's board) and have proven
very knowledgable. But I'm unclear what their relation is with
the company. The company is in London, UK, and Alington, Mass.
Why is the BBS in Washington State? The people in Arlington
are a little vague on what Walter and Joe's relationship is with
Zortech; I get the impression that they are some kind of consult-
ants who write a lot of their code. But Walter's "Organization:" is
listed as "Data-IO Corporation; Redmond, WA". Also calling a BBS
in a distant state, and then calling back several times to see
if anyone might have left an answer on the board and then doing
followup questions/answers is very expensive compared to a short
phone conversation with knowledgable staff.
They seem to have a good product. It is certainly much improved over
vers. 1.07. But their customer support is easily the WORST that
I've ever encountered in this industry! Given that this was the
single most expensive piece of software that I've ever bought I
think I could have expected more professionalism.
Zortech must develop an IN-HOUSE source of technical expertise. It is very
unprofessional for a tech support staff to send people to a private
BBS to answer questions about their product. I feel like their company
is being run as a hobby. They can get by like this only as long as
they have no serious competition in C++. That won't be for long.
Latest stumper: My new VGA card supports 640X480 X 256 colors. I
called yesterday to ask them how I can write code to use more than
16 colors. They said they would "get back to me". Stay tuned.
---Petercs551djc@iitmax.IIT.EDU (Daniel Ciarlette) (02/22/90)
In article <48c74cd1.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM> nelson_p@apollo.HP.COM (Peter Nelson) writes: > Walter Bright posts... >:DOS programming, graphics programming, and C++ programming are all >:complex subjects. All the 'problems' you're having appear to be caused We must not forget that by Walter Bright replying to this message that it implies that he actually READS the stuff we post. I wish people at Microsoft and Borland could give me personal service by the people that actually write their stuff. Also, Zortech does nothing to hide their bugs. It's nearly impossible to get information about bugs in other compilers. In my 2.06 upgrade I believe there was a list of bugs (and C++ v2.0 features) that was listed to help me out. I've never really had a problem with Zortech's v2.0 C++ product. But, I did find a deficiency and I posted it to the Byte Information Exchange (BIX) on their conference. I send it to Walter and he responded to me. I call that personal service. Everyone keeps saying that Zortech is in for problems when Borland & Microsoft (let's not forget TopSpeed) come out with C++. Well, I agree their support is not the best. It's better than a year ago. Also, let's wait and see how Microsoft, Borland and TopSpeed do. C++ isn't as easy to implement as C. Saying the others will stomp on Zortech when they come out is like saying Chevy's new secret line will beat out Ford's existing line of trucks. It may, but then why aren't they out? Please, I am not saying Zortech's the answer to everything. I agree they have problems I just thought that the word of a satisfied customer should be heard. Dan Ciarlette
coy@ssc-vax.UUCP (Stephen B Coy) (02/23/90)
In article <48c74cd1.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM>, nelson_p@apollo.HP.COM (Peter Nelson) writes: > Latest stumper: My new VGA card supports 640X480 X 256 colors. I > called yesterday to ask them how I can write code to use more than > 16 colors. They said they would "get back to me". Stay tuned. > > ---Peter Why should Zortech know anything about programming your vga card? 640x480x256 is a non-standard vga mode. You'd be much better off calling the board manufacturer or posting a request for code to comp.sys.ibm.pc. Your complaints about Zortech's support may be justified but most of your problems would have been solved by reading the manual. Pour yourself a homebrew, find a fireplace, curl up any read the manual. Most of all, relax. We'll all be happier. Stephen Coy uw-beaver!ssc-vax!coy
bright@Data-IO.COM (Walter Bright) (02/24/90)
In article <48c74cd1.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM> nelson_p@apollo.HP.COM (Peter Nelson) writes:
< The company is in London, UK, and Alington, Mass.
< Why is the BBS in Washington State?
Zortech has offices in London, Arlington and Seattle. So what?
< But Walter's "Organization:" is
< listed as "Data-IO Corporation; Redmond, WA".
Data I/O is kind enough to let me use their Usenet connection.
Zortech doesn't have a VAX.
< They can get by like this only as long as
< they have no serious competition in C++. That won't be for long.
People have been predicting the imminent demise of Zortech (and
previously Datalight) since day 1. The usual reason given is that
the 'next' release by Borland/Microsoft is just going to blow
us away. Well, we've been in business for 6 years and do better
every year. The eternal next release, when it materializes,
usually evokes the comment "yeah, but the 'next' release ..." :-)
The compiler was started back in 1983. The universal comment I
got from everyone was "Why are you doing that? You can't possibly
compete against the 'big' companies." They're quite wrong.