Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rochester!cornell!uw-beaver!tikal!hplsla!davidr From: davidr@hplsla.HP.COM ( David M. Reed) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Turbo C/Pascal, debugging Message-ID: <5280012@hplsla.HP.COM> Date: Tue, 7-Jul-87 20:23:41 EDT Article-I.D.: hplsla.5280012 Posted: Tue Jul 7 20:23:41 1987 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Jul-87 07:27:12 EDT References: <719@imsvax.UUCP> Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA Lines: 30 Ted, I think your last comment is one of the main reasons I have been slow to pick up seriously on C, the lack of checking at compile time for syntax, parameters, assignments, and other things that can so easily happen. And one of the reasons I particularly like Pascal, because of its basic simplicity of language with strong type checking, yet providing a way to organize my program (via functions and procedures). I realize some of the flexibility (and ultimately the power) that comes with such a "loose" language as C, but I trip over myself so frequently with Pascal (even exerting great caution and care) that I almost fear working with some of my big programs in C. (And so many errors are just simple typos or brain/finger speed coordination.) I am grateful for very fast compilers like Borland puts out, for my debug time is GREATLY reduced. And I also find that at least 90% of the time the best debugger is judiciously placed WRITELN/printf statements (fast and effective, especially with fast compilers like Borland's). I am also grateful for the useful Pascal extensions that have been provided by Borland, whether I need a convenient way to access the system or just manipulate strings. The majority of my programs deal particularly with string handling functions, as opposed to numbers, and Microsoft Pascal, for one, is, in my opinion, Extremely Poor in this area (together with its very High Price for a Very Slow compiler) eliminated it in the choice of a Pascal compiler. So far as C is concerned, I look forward to getting my copy of Turbo C (I currently use Lattice C when I do C, as I did not care for Microsoft C). Now don't get me wrong. I am not against MicroSoft. Just because I also chose DESQview over MS Windows (because I found it easier to learn and use, and more productive because I can run LAN and modem communications and compiles and other active programs in the background so easily when used with my AST RAMpage card). And I chose another editor over MS Word, and....