TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Jul 93 Letters
Volume Number:9
Issue Number:7
Column Tag:Dialogue Box

Dialogue Box

By Neil Ticktin, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks for the online support!

I just wanted to tell you how glad I am to be able to download the code for the various articles that I'm interested in. I really wouldn't get nearly as much out of the article reading it as running the code and watching it work.

Thanks very much for getting it online!

- Tyler

[Tyler, I’m glad to hear that you are happy with the new online support. Please remember that this is an experiment for us. It takes a lot of effort on our part. Success depends on the number of people who access the online services to download these files, order subscriptions and partake in the area in general. So tell a friend!

For those of you who want all or most of the files for each issue, or if you don’t have access to the online services, your best solution is still the source code disk subscription. Contact our customer service department for more information. Contact information is on page 2. - Ed.]

In regards to Taligent

Neil, in your May, 1993 issue you said “Taligent, on the other hand, is approaching the problem by creating an object-oriented system from the ground up.”

A better way to say this might be:

“Taligent, on the other hand, will have their version of NeXT-STEP ready in one or a few years.

Why does everybody go for the inexistent solutions when real needs can be met and solved NOW?

- Steven Woolgar

CHUS-FAMUS

Language Wars

In reference to your reply to Dave Mark in May ‘93 issue, I want to applaud your editorial approach to the ‘Computer Language’ wars. You are ‘right on’ when you emphasize that we should focus on the concept of the code rather than the language itself. In other words, how do we develop code that will perform a useful function on the computer.

However, as a person that started computing in the 60’s with FORTRAN and then proceeded on to BASIC, Pascal, Forth, C and now C++, I would like to comment further on Mark’s ‘popularity’ statement concerning C. I agree! If you go into a bookstore (such as Dalton’s), the preponderance of titles are C and C++, with very few Pascal or even BASIC language titles. [Even] Forth has completely disappeared from the shelves. But, I question whether C should be the language choice for everybody. Given such esoterica as:

 (*(void(*)())0)();

from C Traps and Pitfalls by Koening-one would think that, while C is a good language (Forth also) to make the computer do fancy tricks, it is a language that gives the impression that it was designed for the high priests (hackers) of computer science. For myself, a retired engineer, I would choose first FORTRAN, then Pascal or BASIC, for everyday run of the mill programming (not 1 megabyte executables) where individuals have the need for understanding the source code. For a professional career that required the reading and writing code on a sporadic basis, I would find it difficult to be conversant with the ‘C’ language. What concerns me is that in fact ‘C’ will become the only language-schools, business, and the home. And, if this is true, I believe that a lot of folks will be discouraged (deprived) from the joys of computing due to the difficulties mentioned above. We should take a broad view on the possibilities of all computer languages.

Further, on languages, I appreciate Jorg Langowski’s continued interest in Forth. I have both Mach2 and MacForth, so if you do nothing more that will keep us up to date on what’s happening in the Forth world, this information (like the recent comments on Mops) will be welcome.

Finally, for all this, I enjoy Dave Mark’s books and columns.

- Charles Hussey

Colville, Washington

[Yes! C is number one in support. Yes! not everyone should use C. Yes! everyone should learn a little about the popular languages - at least to the extent that they can read the code.

In other words, I agree! - Ed.]

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Our MacBook Price Trackers will show you the...
Our Apple award-winning MacBook Price Trackers are continually updated with the latest information on prices, bundles, and availability for 16″ and 14″ MacBook Pros along with 13″ and 15″ MacBook... Read more
Amazon is offering a 10% discount on Apple’s...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale today for 10% off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for 16... Read more
13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple’s MSRP, starting at $1049. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: – 15″ M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049, $... Read more
Amazon is offering a $50 discount on Apple’s...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 iPads in stock on sale for $50 (or a little more) off MSRP this week. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs available f...
Walmart has clearance, but new, Apple 13″ M1 MacBook Airs (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) available online for $649, $360 off original MSRP, in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colors. These are new MacBooks for... Read more
iPad minis on sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
AirPods Max headphones on sale for $479, $70...
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $479.99 in all colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $70 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available today for AirPods Max. Keep an eye on... Read more
14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.