Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!mips!atha!lsuc!jimomura From: jimomura@lsuc.on.ca (Jim Omura) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: Lattice C Message-ID: <1991Jun14.224655.18224@lsuc.on.ca> Date: 14 Jun 91 22:46:55 GMT References: <1991Jun13.024614.7493@garfield.cs.mun.ca> Distribution: na Organization: Consultant, Toronto Lines: 71 In article <1991Jun13.024614.7493@garfield.cs.mun.ca> david10@garfield.cs.mun.ca (David Churchill) writes: >I just purchased a copy of Lattice C (v. 3.03.02 (c) 1986 . . . hey, for $20 >CAN used, I can't complain :-)), and I have a few questions (my apologies if >all of these questions were answered recently on the net) : > >1) What are the major differences (improvements) to the compiler in its latest >version (v. 5.01?)? Well, first, you don't even have the "latest" revision of version 3. In my version 5.06.01 manual it refers to conversion of programs from version 3.04. So it would seem that they had at least 1 more major revision even within the 3.nn series since yours was last upgraded. Now as for version 5.nn, well the biggest reasons to upgrade are: 1. Support for ANSI code. The documentation is a tad unclear whether it support 100% of ANSI or just "almost", but it looks complete to me. Unfortunately this has made it somewhat difficult for me to decide what state I'm going to leave some of my source code since I use a few "old K&R C" compilers such as "Small-C" for CP/M work and Microware 6809 C for OS-9 work and Sozobon C. I think I'll convert the most Atari specific commercial code I'm doing to Lattice/ANSI C and leave the rest mainly in "old C". But if you plan on a carreer as a programmer, I suggest that you have complete ANSI C compatibility as soon as possible. 2. Support for newer POSIX calls. This is an independent matter from ANSI C, but it's the same reasoning. It's "the future" and if you're going that way, you want the upgrade. 3. Better support of TOS/GEM. This I'll have to guess a bit at. Some of the stuff looks the same to me as the stuff covered in the Abacus books. Other things look different and possibly new. I think the VDI has been extended a bit in TOS 1.4. Certainly the STE specific calls like the support for the sound output daemon are new. Beyond that I'll have to speculate that there are probably fewer bugs than what you have and I expect a bunch of new compiler options. I don't know if your compiler creates code other than 68000 specific code. This compiler has switches for '020 and '030 as well as support for 68881 and 68882 math co-processors. They also claim a better set of libraries generally due to re-coding in assembly language, so most programs should turn out smaller and faster than before. >2) Is Metacomo still in business? If not, who is carrying the line? I've been in contact with Goldleaf in the US (415) 257-3510. In fact, I'm supposed to call them back Monday to discuss upgrading my 5.06.01 to 5.06.02. They haven't received the upgrade packages from HiSoft. It may be relevant that HiSoft in England seems to be in control of the situation overall now. I don't know if Metacomo still exists, but it probably isn't relevant. You'd better call Goldleaf though and see what arrangements you can amke for upgrades. You may have a problem. I called Goldleaf *before* I bought my Lattice just to make sure there wouldn't be a problem. But I'm at least starting with a HiSoft release. >3) Is an upgrade path available, and is it worth it? (at the moment, I'm just >writing small, uncomplicated programs for use on a UNIX platform. Since I can't >always get through to the system via modem, why not use the ST?) -- Jim Omura, 2A King George's Drive, Toronto, (416) 652-3880 lsuc!jimomura Byte Information eXchange: jimomura