Lee_Robert_Willis@cup.portal.com (05/08/91)
Now that C++ compilers are starting to show up for the Amiga
(Comeau C++ is out now, SAS C++ is supposed to be out this
summer, and Lattice C++ has been out of its mind for years)
There may be an issue which C= may need to address:
Will there by a "standard" set of Amiga C++ header files?
The Lattice C++ system comes with some decidedly non-standard C++
bindings. This can be somewhat confusing. Examples:
* most structures come in two flavors: uninitialized ("uMinList")
and initialized ("MinList")
* You don't have to OpenLibrary() IntuitionBase (in fact it
complains if you do), but you do have to OpenLibrary()
DiskfontBase. It is not documented which libaray bases must
be opened, and which ones are opened auto-magicly.
* The method that returns a pointer to a Window's RastPort is
"window->graphic()". (Why not "window->rastport()", fer gosh
sakes?)
I'm considering creating my own C++ headers, which would be
tedious, but not complicated. But I couldn't distribute them
( (c) C=A ), so any code I write which is based on these headers
would be useless to anyone else. (I've enough ego to think that
others might want to use my code.)
The Comeau system does not distribute any Amiga-specific C++ headers, but
comes with a utility which converts C header files to C++ header files
(so you can use the C= C headers).
I don't know what SAS C++ will do, but there is the potential for three
separate C++ header file 'standards'. We Amiga hackers will not be able
to take advantage of the 're-usable-ness' of C++ if we don't start from
the same base classes (i.e. header files).
Lee Lee_Robert_Willis@cup.portal.com comeau@ditka.Chicago.COM (Greg Comeau) (05/10/91)
In article <42111@cup.portal.com> Lee_Robert_Willis@cup.portal.com writes: >Now that C++ compilers are starting to show up for the Amiga >(Comeau C++ is out now, SAS C++ is supposed to be out this >summer, and Lattice C++ has been out of its mind for years) >There may be an issue which C= may need to address: > Will there by a "standard" set of Amiga C++ header files? Um, I think it's safe to say in public that the right parties/vendors are currently discussing this situation as a group. My personal guess is that we're go to see 2 or 3 levels of C++ header specs come out over the course of this year. >The Lattice C++ system comes with some decidedly non-standard C++ >bindings. This can be somewhat confusing. Examples: Nevertheless, they may be one place to start from (although I don't as yet know the legal ramifications of my making such a statement!). ;-) > I'm considering creating my own C++ headers, which would be > tedious, but not complicated. But I couldn't distribute them Unless you need it yesterday, I would say don't waster your time. It'll create a lot of headaches. And I mean a lot. The split second we start seeing diversity in this are is probably the same split second we should remove C++ from all our systems. I was saddeneded to hear of some grave incompatibilities with C compilers, and I hate for us all to make the same mistake with C++, no matter if the mistake comes about technically, personally, or competitively. >The Comeau system does not distribute any Amiga-specific C++ headers, but >comes with a utility which converts C header files to C++ header files >(so you can use the C= C headers). Right, but even though that's very valuable, there *should* be C++ specific headers. - Greg -- Comeau Computing, 91-34 120th Street, Richmond Hill, NY, 11418 Producers of Comeau C++ 2.1 Here:attmail.com!csanta!comeau / BIX:comeau / CIS:72331,3421 Voice:718-945-0009 / Fax:718-441-2310