Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!apple!bionet!agate!helios.ee.lbl.gov!nosc!cod!rupp
From: rupp@cod.NOSC.MIL (William L. Rupp)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: AC Basic
Message-ID: <1273@cod.NOSC.MIL>
Date: 24 Oct 88 21:04:16 GMT
References: <8809152206.aa16208@SMOKE.BRL.MIL> <466@jc3b21.UUCP> <487NETOPRMS@NCSUVM>
Reply-To: rupp@cod.nosc.mil.UUCP (William L. Rupp)
Organization: Computer Sciences Corp., San Diego
Lines: 46

In article <487NETOPRMS@NCSUVM> NETOPRMS@NCSUVM.BITNET (Michael Steele) writes:
  >
  >    Has anyone used AC Basic compiler for the GS?  I have a friend who just
  > bought a GS but doesn't want to learn the ins and outs of the Toolbox.  I've
  > heard that writing quick, easy windowing programs is possible with AC Basic,
  > any comments?  Does anyone have a demo version I might play with?
  >
  >                                    Thanks in advance, Michael
  >------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >NETOPRMS@NCSUVM.BITNET  Michael Steele  co-sysop of NCSU Apple Users BBS
   
I have both AC BASIC and TML BASIC, and can therefore offer at least some
comments which may be useful.   First I should say that I am working on a
TML BASIC tutorial, so you may want to take that into consideration.

Actually, both are good, depending on what you want to accomplish and your
level of sophistication.  If you want to do some down-to-the-metal programming,
TML is much better.  It's support of the Toolbox is very good.  It's
editing/compiliing environment essentially gives you an interpreter
environemnt for speedy program development.

AC BASIC takes a different approach.  If you have used MS-BASIC on the
Mac, you will find AC BASIC very, very familiar.  While AC does not offer
as much support for the Toolbox, the routines it does support are
sometimes easier to use than in TML BASIC.   

I have really not used AC much, mostly because my writing project
concentrates on TML BASIC.  For persons who are satisfied users of
MS-BASIC on the Mac (I believe AC actually wrote the MS-BASIC complier),
AC may be a very good choice.  Or for real beginning programmers, or
those who have Mac BASIC programs to transport to the GS.

But if you are a pretty serious-minded programmer who wants to access the
Toolbox routines directly, the only choice is TML-BASIC.  Again, I want
to emphasize that both have strong points.  They are similar, though
not identical, programming tools.  Which you chose should hinge on which
tool is appropriate for you and your situation.

Bill

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I'll gladly accept a hamburger today for the use of my personal opinions
Tuesday.
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