Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!daver!ditka!comeau From: comeau@ditka.Chicago.COM (Greg Comeau) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.programmer Subject: Re: REVIEW: Comeau C++ compiler Keywords: programming, language, C++, compiler Message-ID: <36748@ditka.Chicago.COM> Date: 12 Apr 91 12:30:03 GMT References: <1991Apr10.051104.25326@menudo.uh.edu> Reply-To: comeau@csanta.attmail.com (Greg Comeau) Organization: Comeau Computing Lines: 75 In article <1991Apr10.051104.25326@menudo.uh.edu> tron1@tronsbox.xei.com (Kenneth Jamieson) writes: >This is a good product on the whole. I would recommend it to anyone who >has an interest or need for C++. The compiler is mature and stable, and >well tested. The driver needs major work but that is on the way and NOT >fatal. Out of a score of 100 this is an 80, and worth the $250. > >(c) 1991 Kenneth Jamieson I am posting 2 responses to your review: one dealing with technical things and another dealing with everything else. This is the technical response. >The product installs in a painless manner, and I gather the >Install program would have made it easier. Yes, it would have! >5) Run the "include" program. You have to do this once. Comeau does NOT >distribute a full set of header files. This program will take your existing >C header files and "C++"-ize them. It's hard to tell whether you consider this good or bad! We think it good as our premise is that since we are requiring that you have a C compiler, and since each C compiler is slightly different, if we literally use what the C vendor supplies, little, if any, idiosyncrasies will crop up. Once 'include' is run, that's it, and you never need to worry about it until you upgrade and/or change your C compiler. Plus the C++ header and C headers can co-exist with no problem. >The "como" command is the hub of the compiler. Those using C++ >can equate this to a "CC". And there is problem number one. It doesn't act >ANYTHING like CC. This will make it difficult for anyone who is new from the >UNIX world. > >In addition, "como" is just not good enough to do real production >work with in my opinion. It is a good example of Arexx programming >though and easy to modify so this can be overcome. I think both those statements are stronger than that actual situation is. Nevertheless, como.rexx *does* need additional functionality. Furthermore, you are entitled to have your own opinion on that matter and I will (1) both respect that and (2) consider that it outweighs my own viewpoint. >The problems are ... All the problems are being addressed and should be solved in the (free) upgrade. Our plans are to have an upgrade come out this month and perhaps another again next month if it is needed as this is a new product and will have newness/overlooked quirks. The upgrade this month will also contain a bunch of tiny other fixes as well as a new version of the compiler itself even though the compiler is just about as solid as a rock. >There are by the way, no Amiga specific classes in the >compiler. This is straight C++. You can use the Amiga with the normal C >calls and interface, or write your own class library for it. That is correct. Our thinking here was that we could have gone all out this release, but that would have only resulted in a broken compiler, broken libraries, and broken tools. This way we spent the time and effort upfront on what we consider the focus of the product, the compiler itself. Now with that mostly out of the way and current feedback being addressed, we can move into the next phases and deal with libraries and tools and possible compiler extensions. All in all, I think your review was responsible and fair both in the good and bad things currently in Comeau C++. I would like to thank you for taking the time to inform the Amiga community about it as well as choosing to undertake the task. -- Greg -- Comeau Computing, 91-34 120th Street, Richmond Hill, NY, 11418 Producers of Comeau C++ Here:attmail.com!csanta!comeau / BIX:comeau / CIS:72331,3421 Voice:718-945-0009 / Fax:718-441-2310