| I admit, I'm biased. I too, was amazed by Boing and Juggler, so I bought
an Amiga 3 years ago and have never regretted it.
>How does Amiga programming (in C) compare to MS Windows?
I really haven't done a lot of Windows programming, but over the last
six weeks or so I've done a tremendous amount of reading, and a decent
amount of DOS programming. I'm just now starting to really get into the
Windows side of things...
And I don't care for it.
Perhaps it doesn't bother some people, but I find the ideas of memory
models, near and far pointers, and the whole segmented Intel architecture
really... how can I say it? Tedious? Clumsy? Probably not as
bad for application development, but it's too much work for programming
interfaces and libraries.
It's frustrating to have to use DOS to run the C compiler, and then startup
Windows to run the application. Then back to DOS, then back to Windows...
The Amiga development environment is much easier for _me_ to use.
I'm not overly impressed with the Microsoft C compiler or development
environment. I do like the on-line help.
I really enjoy working on my Amiga. Maybe (heresy!) more so than doing VMS
development or even ULTRIX work on my DECstation. I can't really place why,
but it's maybe more similar to how I like to do things. I definitely
feel much more productive on my Amiga than on DOS. Certainly good
multi-tasking helps that.
The whole design and implementation of Windows is pretty remarkable, but
it is also somewhat kludgy in many regards. FAKE multi-tasking, pseudo
memory management, etc. AmigaDOS is much cleaner/elegant a system.
Of course, AmigaDOS won't run Lotus!
My favorite quote from Petzold's "Programming Windows" (the Windows "Bible")
There are many others, but this is sums it up. (p10)
"If at first you find Windows programming to be difficult, awkward,
bizarrely convoluted and filled with alien concepts, rest assured that this
is a normal reaction. You are not alone."
>How many copies of an Amiga utility I coded could I sell compared to
>one under Windows?
Does DEC allow any employees to sell software? If so, you might be able to
sell more apps for Windows - depending on what it was. Installed base
is a definite concern for developers. Maybe a really great Amiga app would
sell more machines, increase the user base and attract good developers.
Remember that the Windows installed base is approx the same as the Amiga.
That is, 4 million. Approx 2/3 of Windows purchasers don't really use it,
so that cuts the number of "users" down to about 1.3 million.
I'm not trying to bash DOS/Windows, but just give my opinions. I am finding
that slowly I'm getting more and more used to the way that DOS/Windows does
things. It's not always pleasant, but I can put up with it. Hopefully,
other DOS users/programmers will give you some input as well.
Steve
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| I'm just getting started on Windows programming too. This is my fourth
windowing system. My opinion is probably biased because I am more familure with
Amiga programming than Windows.
I don't like using windows. It's harder to navigate around the screen.
As I discussed in a different note, Microsoft has much less respect for your
software and hardware investment than Commodore. You have to keep buying more
powerful computers and replacing all of your software to keep current.
Commodore provides upgrade paths for hardware and maintains compatibility
between OS releases.
In terms of creating programs, each system has its strong points and
quirks. You get used to it, whatever it is. Don't use this as a criterion to
pick a system. I will say that if you get Windows, get Borland C++. The
program development environment is JUST WONDERFUL.
I think there is a lot to be said for getting an A500 and going for
the cheap fun now. There is lots of PD software including a very serviceable
C compiler (DICE). If it is fun you are looking for, the Amiga is the only
choice. If it is a well engineered hardware/software system with a satisfying
user environment, the Amiga wins again.
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| I'd buy an Amiga or go for a 80386 windows box... only I already bought
something else, an Archimedes A410/1 (a 32 bit RISC machine).
I still wonder if I made the right choice, since there's less software,
less PD, less packages around for it. It's made by a British company
with little exposure in the US. I bought it because it was compatible
with my old machine, and included an emulator for it. I've since bought
an IBM PC emulator package as well. It works, it even runs Windows 3...
inside its own windows... albeit a bit slowly.
So I sit here green with envy with all those wonderful things appearing
for the Amiga/IBM PC. Still, Lemmings has made its way over to my
machine (I got a demo. I'm hooked!). I have an ANSI-C compiler for it,
I've learnt it's windowing system. I'm still trying to hear about how
others do the same thing.
My fanatical Archimedes friends will tell me that it's far superior to
Amiga's, PC's etc. However, what's the point in having a 'technically
superior machine' (if that's true) if there's little software for it!
There is enough s/w for me to be able to use it. It doesn't have the
hardware features of the Amiga for graphics... instead it has a fast
RISC processor.
Pete.
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