| Jim,
I received a brochure on C++ from Lattice when I applied for my V3.03C
upgrade for C. The package comes bundled with a C compiler, they dont tell you
which version, and there is a vast difference in documentation and features
twixt V5.0+ and earlier compiler versions.
It does use the AT&T translator as mentioned by Randy in 1445.5. This
made me pause and think for a moment? What work did Lattice really do that gives
them the ability to charge $500US for this kit. I dont know what standard C goes
for in the States but this seemed hefty. Is the AT&T translator a heavy expense
for them?
It looks like they have done some work in creating somewhat object
oriented versions of the Amiga routines. Whether the examples are enough for you
to make the leap from the C examples in the EXEC and RKM books to the OOps
definitions will be interesting. I know some people had problems with some of
the TDI Modula libraries in this regard.
Anyway the kit has:
1. C++ pre-processor
2. C++to C language translator
3. C Compiler
4. Complete Amiga header files (so that's what they did )
5. Extensive documentation
6. Sample programs and examples
7. Comprehensive bibliography
8. New C++ library functions
9. Manual explaining C++ and object-oriented programming
System Requirements:
1. 1.5MB of system memory
2. AmigaDOS, V1.2 or later
3. 1*880K floppy and 10MB hard disk
The above is stated as a practical minimum.
I dont think Lattice are a particularly wudnerful organisation. They brought out
compilers that were featureless, without a any sort of reasonable development
environment and only started to change things when other companies did it better
sooner than Lattice expected. Feature for feature the Lattice compilers in the
IBM-PC space,for instance, were better to work with because competition demanded
that Lattice get off their duff and provide quality tools. I really wouldnt
expect things like the CodeProbe Source Level Debugger to support C++ until
Lattice starts to get hurt by some other C++ company in the Amiga product space.
(I dont expect you really want to debug C code generated by a pre-compiler,
would you?). The 'DEAL' they had for Lattice C Registered owners was another
example of their idea of looking after the customer:
1. Get the upgrade to V5.0 C, (say $100US if V3.03 or $75US if V4).
2. Special get in quick 'DEAL' $300US for the C++
They trumpet, this is 40% off the $500.00 retail price, BUT HURRY!
So, do I get 2* Lattice-C V5.0 C compilers, or one?
If I only get the C compiler once then I'm really paying
$300US + (cost of upgrade) +(cost of C compiler) in 'roundabout
terms. A saving of considerably less than 40% even if I sold the second compiler
to a friend at 50%+ off.
Maybe I should have saved my upgrade and purchased Benchmark Modula instead, at
least I know it has an editor that talks to it.
Oh, It doesnt matter, I just noticed the offer expired 4 months ago,
that's the good thing about living in Australia, you get so much time to decide
on these special deals. 8^)
Regards,
John
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|
The price may have something to do with AT&T. AT&T charges a
royalty for each copy of C++. Does this support a $500 price ? I
don't know.
From a review ( I don't have it )
The C++ compiler comes with a stripped down version of their
compiler ( No documentation, One set of libraries, V4 ). C++
shipped using V4 lattice C I don't know if this has changed.
The review stated that it works with lattic C V5 and is greatly
helped by the optimizer in V5.
Steve Peters
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