Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!ricevm1.bitnet!mayer-a
From: David Mayer <MAYER-A@RICEVM1.BITNET>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Pascal vs. C
Message-ID: <1690MAYER-A@RICEVM1>
Date: Wednesday, 9 May 1990 00:40:20 CDT
Organization: Rice University - ICSA

Hi gang!

I'm new to Netnews, so I hope this hasn't been discussed
previously.

I'm a psychologist, not a programmer.  But I have done a good
bit of programming, and would like to learn to program
Macintosh applications.  I know a little Pascal and no C, but
I suspect that I should learn one of these languages.

I usually need custom applications which can present graphical
stimuli (hopefully originally composed in a separate graphics
package I already know), record subjects' inputs and make
reaction time measurements.  The graphics I need don't have to
be Rodger Rabbit-perfect animations, but I do need to vary
certain aspects dynamically.  (I'm going to try to simulate
some control panel displays and gauges).  And the reaction
time measures must be reliable.

Are there any suggestions regarding which language(s) I should
learn.  Or any good books I ought to read?  I can't find any
information regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of
these two languages?  Does this mean I'm asking the wrong
questions??

I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions.  Thanks,

     David Mayer         Psychology Department
     Grad Student Slug         Rice University
     -----------------------------------------
     MAYER-A@RICEVM1                    BITNET
     MAYER-A@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU         InterNet