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From: fromherz@unizh.UUCP (fromherz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: Prolog for Mac?
Message-ID: <306@unizh.UUCP>
Date: 8 Sep 89 10:00:52 GMT
References: <2409@umn-d-ub.D.UMN.EDU> <4042@internal.Apple.COM>
Sender: <unizh!gorgo!fromherz>
Reply-To: fromherz@gorgo.UUCP ()
Organization: Inst. fuer Informatik, Univ. Zuerich, Switzerland
Lines: 60

We evaluated several Prolog implementations on the Macintosh for use in
research and for real-life applications. About the best system you can get
(to our knowledge) is LPA MacProlog.


LPA MacProlog 2.7
   From:
     Logic Programming Associates Ltd
     Studio 4
     The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building
     Trinity Road
     London SW18 3SX
   Price:
     to be asked (several versions possible, at least 500 Pound)
   Integration into Macintosh:
     very good, i.e.
        windows for query, input and output,
        menu-driven, ...
   Built-in Predicates:
     standard built-ins (Clocksin & Mellish)
     set predicates ("all-solution predicates")
     predicates for graphics
     predicates for mouse handling, window handling, event handling ...
   Syntax:
     Edinburgh
   Programs:
     limited kind of module concept (programs can be partitioned
       into windows where they are defined)
     integrated editor (editing on each window)
     can be interpreted, compiled, or optimized selectively
     can be unloaded selectively
     can be saved as text, source or in compiled version
   Debugging:
     limited and full tracing available
     call chain can be shown graphically (call graphs)
   Environment Interface:
     interfaces to Pascal and C
   Memory Need:
     at least 1 MB (graphics and similar activities prefer more)
   User Manuals:
     "Environment Guide" and "Reference Manual", extensive and helpful
   Online Help:
     provided
   Some Comments:
     MacProlog is very convenient. Developing and testing (editing, compiling,
     debugging) is a very fast, straight-forward process.
     MacProlog seems to have all necessary capabilities (i.e. built-ins),
     which are efficiently implemented and easy to use. Even the user
     interface (including the editor) is partly written in Prolog.
     MacProlog is pretty fast. 
   Application:
     Application utility and bundle (and icon) editor support the development
     of stand-alone applications.

Highly recommended (if you've got the money).
I have nothing to do with LPA except for being a very satisfied customer.

Markus P.J. Fromherz
University of Zuerich, Switzerland
fromherz@ifi.unizh.ch