Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!poseidon!psrc
From: psrc@poseidon.ATT.COM (Paul S. R. Chisholm)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Turbo C 2.0 advice wanted...
Summary: inline assembler needs MASM or TASM
Message-ID: <544@poseidon.ATT.COM>
Date: 24 Oct 88 03:09:19 GMT
References: <17144@vax5.CCS.CORNELL.EDU>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 41

<"He seemed like such a nice man . . . and then he turned out to be a writer!">

In article <17144@vax5.CCS.CORNELL.EDU>, soxy@vax5.CCS.CORNELL.EDU writes:
> I am very seriously thinking of purchasing TC 2.0, and I am a bit confused 
> about the differences between the expensive package and the cheaper one.
> 
> I know the expensive one has a standalone debugger and TASM...  I am
> interested in programming as a hobby, not a professional career.  I
> want to use inline Assembler, and am willing to buy the expensive
> version if I need to...

I've described the differences between the integrated and standalone
debuggers in a different posting.  Now for the difference between
standalone and assisted inline assembler, I guess.

One of the new features of Turbo C 2.0 is the ability to include inline
*machine* (not assembler) language, ala Turbo Pascal.  (This is
described on page 103 of the TC 2.0 Reference Manual.)  If you're into
hand assembling routines, and (in effect) patching the hex codes into
your program, then go for it.

Inline *assembler* language has been supported from the beginning (TC
1.0).  This is done nice and flexibly.  You can even have functions,
variables, and (I think) labels in your inline code.  Turbo C computes
stack offsets for local variables.  *But* there are two limitations.
First, you can only do this from the command line compiler (TCC, not
TC, the integrated environment).  Second, TCC will look for an
assembler (in TC 2.0, either TASM or MASM, or one named with a flag;
see page 455 of the TC 2.0 Reference Manual).

So, if you've already got MASM (and CodeView), you may not want TASM
and Turbo Debugger.  But if you want to include inline assembler and
you don't have an assembler already, Turbo C 2.0 Professional may be a
good deal.  That's only $99.95 with your serial number for either Turbo
Pascal or Turbo C.  (TP, TC, *and* TASM/TD are $149.95.)  To upgrade,
call 1-800-543-7543 and have your serial number and credit card number
ready.  (Sorry, all I've got is the 800 number.)

Paul S. R. Chisholm, psrc@poseidon.att.com (formerly psc@lznv.att.com)
AT&T Bell Laboratories, att!poseidon!psrc, AT&T Mail !psrchisholm
I'm not speaking for the company, I'm just speaking my mind.