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From: GWO110%URIACC.BITNET@brownvm.brown.edu (F. Michael Theilig)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: AmigaBasic
Message-ID: <22042@snow-white.udel.EDU>
Date: 15 Jun 90 06:03:16 GMT
Sender: mmdf@udel.EDU
Lines: 36


     There are TOO many things I want to respond to ...

     First, AmigaBasic, AREXX, and AmigaVision are three totally different
 products.  AmigaBasic is FASTER and easier (enironment-wise) than AREXX.
 AREXX allows for system work that is beyond the scope of BASIC.  I've
 never had the pleasure of working with AmigaVision.  It is probably
 easier than either AREXX and AmigaBasic.

     The only benifits of keeping AmigaBasic around is that there is
 a lot of programs already written in it, and schools teach it.  In
 my opinion schools that teach BASIC should be drawn and quartered.
 It's too old of a language, and has no real standard anymore.  Let
 it die in peace.

     AmigaVision and AREXX will probably serve for simple programming
 (i.e. novice) in over 99% of the cases.  If you want a cheap Pascal
 compiler, PCQ works just fine.  There are two C compilers that
 generate executable without buying Amiga.lib.  Also there is Cursor
 which compiles AmigaBasic code.  It need MAJOR enhancements, but it
 does work.

     People are too stuck on BASIC.  It's almost an addiction.  People
 tell me how this new compiler supports structured programming, they
 fail to realize the problems with retrofitting structure on an old
 and tired language.  An interpreted Pascal is a great idea.  But only
 once there is a professional development grade Pascal compiler.

     Let Basic die in peace.

 ----
      F. Michael Theilig  -  The University of Rhode Island at Little Rest
                            GWO110 at URIACC.Bitnet
                            GKZ117 at URIACC.Bitnet

"Gooooood coffee."