🚀 go-pugleaf

Thus spoke the keyboard of Michael Turk <ABMT@musica.macarthur.uws.EDU.AU>:
>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.

I bought the professional edition and managed to squeece it down to 35
Mbyte disk space. But that is no problem since I have 220 Mbyte disk
and are planning to buy another 250 Mbyte to my home computer.

>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.

Already got 16 Mbyte memory, but are planning to buy another 16 Mbyte
to avoid all the swapping.

>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.

I don't use doublespace since I don't trust such programs...

>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.

It is a great product.

>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!

I have not tried to compile the "Hello World" program. But put the
cursor on the line with the error message and press F1. You then
get help on that error message. It might explain what's wrong.

>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.

I've tried it, but after 1 hour trying to find out how to use it
I removed it from the disk. It's a nasty product! I did not have
any problem finding out how to use the Visual C++.

>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

Several years ago (12 years) I teached myself Basic on a home computer
(A Texas Inst. TI 99/4A). Later I teached myself Fortran. Three years
ago I teached myself C and some months ago I bought a book about C++.
After struggeling with Borland C++ I skipped it after one hour. It was
to difficult to use.

Some weeks ago I bought the Visual C++, and going through the tutorial
gave me a good instruction about how to use the tool. I still have
several things to learn about C++, but I'm learning by using the tool
and by asking others.

It might be true that if you have a small disk and little memory, Visual
C++ may not be the right tool. The first C compiler I used was Microsoft
C 5.10. I ran it on my old computer, which was a Olivetti M-21
(dragable) with 20 Mbyte disk, 640 kbyte memory and a 8087 prosessor.

But if you want a modern tool for developing window application,
you should have a machine with enough disk and memory. You need a
great machine to run a great tool.

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* I went back to my mother,           * Joern Yngve Dahl-Stamnes             *
* I said, "I'm crazy ma, help me!"    * University of Trondheim              *
* She said, "I know how it feels son, * The Norwegian Institute of Tech.     *
* 'cause it runs in the family."      * Division of Physical Electronics     *
*       - The Who, Quadrophenia       * e-mail: dahls@fhydra.dnet.unit.no    *
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