rns@mullauna.cs.mu.OZ.AU (Robert Noel STURROCK) (03/20/91)
As the subject says, can anyone tell me which C compiler is "best" under msdos? The only constraints are that it must be ANSI compatable and preferably have a curses library or the like for the creation of a decent user interface. I'm sure it is probably not possile to give a definite "this is best." answer, but if someone could briefly outline the pro's and con's of some, that would be much appreciated. Robert Sturrock rns@mullauna.cs.mu.oz.au
rbr@bonnie.ATT.COM (4197,ATTT) (03/20/91)
In article <rns.669474536@mullauna> rns@mullauna.cs.mu.OZ.AU (Robert Noel STURROCK) writes: >As the subject says, can anyone tell me which C compiler is "best" under >msdos? The only constraints are that it must be ANSI compatable and preferably >have a curses library or the like for the creation of a decent user interface. > >I'm sure it is probably not possile to give a definite "this is best." answer, >but if someone could briefly outline the pro's and con's of some, that would >be much appreciated. > > >Robert Sturrock >rns@mullauna.cs.mu.oz.au Me to! I started with MSC v4.x becuase it was very close to AT&T's UNIX(tm) "C" language (that I use at work), but it didn't have graphics. Next I got TURBO C with it's effective but kludgey ".BGI" files. I am now looking at MIX Power C (at least the price is right). Is there any "C" compiler that does it all in an efficient way. The LINK.EXE (MSC) or TLINK.EXE (TC) semm to include an entire library just to include the code for one call. My requirements are: 1. Accepts either K&R or ANSII syntax. 2. Can do graphics and interface with pointing devices without external files (other than a device driver). 3. Provides the standard function library that is compatible with K&R and ANSII. Also graphics & mouse support libraries. 4. Has an intellegent LIB.EXE and LINK.EXE combo that will link in only the modules needed to satisfy the function calls in the program. 5. Has a reasonable price (~$100 or less). $200+ is rediculous. MS support has a long way to go to justify that kind of price. (For me, the PC is basicaly a hobby that only indirectly enhances my pesuit of the daily bread). Bob Rager
raymond@math.berkeley.edu (Raymond Chen) (03/21/91)
In article <rns.669474536@mullauna>, rns@mullauna (Robert Noel STURROCK) writes: >if someone could briefly outline the pro's and con's of some, that would >be much appreciated. A brief outline of the Pro's and Con's of about a half-dozen popular compilers can be found in the file `compilers.Z' available by ftp from math.princeton.edu in the directory pub/rjc/csip. If you can't ftp, use the mail server, as described in the Frequently Asked Questions file for comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc. -- Raymond Chen (raymond@math.berkeley.edu) Your friendly (sometimes) Frequently Asked Questions file maintainer.
bright@nazgul.UUCP (Walter Bright) (03/26/91)
In article <1991Mar20.152153.25568@cbnewsl.att.com> rbr@bonnie.ATT.COM (Bob Rager) writes: /In article <rns.669474536@mullauna> rns@mullauna.cs.mu.OZ.AU (Robert Noel STURROCK) writes: />As the subject says, can anyone tell me which C compiler is "best" under />msdos? I'll try to answer your questions for Zortech C/C++. / 1. Accepts either K&R or ANSII syntax. I'm not sure what you mean here. K&R is a subset of ANSI C. Zortech supports ANSI C. Some people have had trouble with ANSI C when they mix old style function definitions and ANSI prototypes, like in: int func(short); int func(s) short s; {} /* syntax error! */ / 2. Can do graphics and interface with pointing devices without / external files (other than a device driver). Zortech's Flash Graphics library does not use external files or drivers, they are linked in. Zortech is the only one I'm aware of that also includes support for the mouse in both graphics and text modes. / 3. Provides the standard function library that is compatible / with K&R and ANSII. Also graphics & mouse support libraries. Zortech provides an ANSI library with the exception of tmpfile() and the multibyte functions (they're coming in the next version). We have a full graphics library, and have library functions to access the mouse. / 4. Has an intellegent LIB.EXE and LINK.EXE combo that will link / in only the modules needed to satisfy the function calls in the / program. Zortech uses a standard librarian and linker that has the behavior you wish. / 5. Has a reasonable price (~$100 or less). $200+ is rediculous. MS / support has a long way to go to justify that kind of price. I think some mail order houses carry the basic compiler for < $200. If you need more information, call Zortech at 800-848-8408.