🚀 go-pugleaf

WARNING
=======

If you are considering purchasing Visual C++ to learn or teach C++,
then I suggest you reconsider.

I just installed it and ran into a few problems that indicate that
it may not be suitable for educational use - except for experienced
programmers.

1    It needs in excess of 30 M hard disk to install.
     *  So even if you have a 120M disk doublespaced you may not
        have enough disk space.

2    It needs MORE THAN 4M FREE memory to build from the workbench.
     It will squeeze by with 6M but really should have 8M or more.
     *  So you may have to purchase an additional 4M memory
        An unexpected outlay of about $240 in Aust.

3    A minimum of 15M dedicated swap file is recommended.
     *  So, if you are doublespaced already and you want to increase
        your swap file size ... you lose even more.

It looks a great product, the packet says it needs 4M and then in fine
print (6M recommended).  I am sure it is a powerful development
environment.

BUT, in my opinion any environment that cannot build and execute
its own sample "HELLO WORLD" first program without dying
with obscure errors such as "LINKAGE ERROR 3"; that cannot
run on a standard 486DX with 4M memory is not suitable as a
teaching or learning tool except in a specialist environment.

   *  Even the Microsoft Hotline language specialist had not
      heard of Linkage Error 3! Then I mentioned my memory size ...
   *  Who ever heard of "Hello World"failing to build!

If you are a student and trying to learn C++ at home
I recommend you stick with Turbo C++ for DOS.  "Hello World" runs
simply and intuitively and the environment takes little disk space.

If you are an instructor and considering putting Vis. C++ in your labs
consider the extra memory and complexity.

Please do not misunderstand me I am not bagging the product per se
merely suggesting that it is not suitable for teaching with or
as a beginner's tool.

Michael

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|    Michael Turk                          ph  61 46 203 466    |
|    m.turk@uws.edu.au                     fax 61 46 266 683    |
|                                                               |
|    UWS, Macarthur, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, AUSTRALIA.        |
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