[comp.sys.amiga.advocacy] Compiler code

jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz (John Bickers) (04/18/91)

Quoted from <1991Apr16.001748.26530@uncecs.edu> by urjlew@uncecs.edu (Rostyk Lewyckyj):

> If a language causes this much controversy in just a variable/constant

    Some people cause controversy, like the way that a learner complains
    about how a pencil needs sharpening from time to time.

> declaration, and does not define any specific order for evaluations,

    It does. * before +, do things in brackets first, etc.

> and does not have all the arithmetic operators (e.g. power), and 

    It does. Power is not an arithmetic operator. Those are +, -, *, /
    and %. :)

> does not have a computed go to (for branch tables) ....

    A what?

> How is it that an glorified assembler for the DEC PDP 11 has become
> the language of choice for assembler hating CS students?

    Don't know about this. The guy that 1st got us using C when I was
    a student was also the guy that took the course which did PDP 11
    assembler. Maybe the closeness of the two leads C programmers to
    believe that C (ideal) is really efficient.
--
*** John Bickers, TAP, NZAmigaUG.        jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz ***
***         "Patterns multiplying, re-direct our view" - Devo.          ***