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From: barbecue@pine.circa.ufl.edu (MERCER)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.programmer
Subject: Help this neophyte...
Keywords: manx 3.6a problems
Message-ID: <27282@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU>
Date: 5 Mar 91 01:02:06 GMT
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Assuming this post gets through, I am looking for some help
with my novice attempts to program in C on my Amiga 500.
I am just beginning to learn C, and I am using Aztec C 3.6a.
(Yes, I know I need to upgrade...)
My first question is this: when I attempted to write a simple
program to do some string manipulations, I encountered a bug|
feature|pecadillo of my compiler with regard to the index(),
rindex(), strchr() and strrchr() functions.  It seems that these
functions are returning integers, when the documentation says
they should return char pointers.  I have looked in all my reference
materials, and tried C on other systems, and these functions work
as advertised.  Why is Manx returning these integers?  I even tried
using the integers in several ways, but had little luck.  These are
the kinds of experiences that can really darken one's day when one
is a novice.  I do not NEED these functions, but it would be nice
if they would work.  Can anyone explain this and possibly offer a 
solution?  Please don't suggest upgrading, as when and if I do
upgrade, (which will not be anytime soon due to budgetary constraints) 
I will be thinking about whether to stay with Manx or go Lattice.
This is my second question: given that I will eventually upgrade,
should I stay with Manx or should I switch to Lattice?  I am not
a professional, my programs are mainly simple utilities and amusing
things from Scientific American, and MIDI music generation projects.
Given that I probably won't be getting a 3000 anytime soon, which
compiler is best for me?  How ANSI compliant/compatible are they?
How much do they cost?  And can anyone suggest ftp sites, specific
fish disks, or other specific sources of programming aids and utils
(things like a make program, a lint, a debugger, and in particular,
text files which list or describe bugs, problems, idiosyncrasies, 
and non-portabilities of Manx C?  I am grateful in advance.  
Email repsonses are preferred, cash donations gleefully accepted. 

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