🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <14JUL93.12564805.0008@tscc.macarthur.uws.EDU.AU> Michael Turk <ABMT@musica.macarthur.uws.EDU.AU> writes:
>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.

It's pretty easy to reduce this significantly. If you're low on space, the
SETUP program allows you to selectively install components. If you need them
later, you can run SETUP again to add only the components you need. 

>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.

The box says that 8M is recommended. Visual C++ has been tested in 4 megs, but
you need to make sure that most of it is available (disk caches, network
drivers, big bitmap backgrounds, and several copies of Tetris can greatly
reduce the amount of memory that VC++/Win can use).

>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.

With 4 Meg of memory, you'll probably need plenty of swap space to compile 
large files. A 15M swap file isn't all that unusual in Windows.

>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.

This error does NOT exist in Visual C++ for Windows. All linker errors are of
the form: "LINK : error L1001 : option name ambiguous". I'll bet you that
you have a different linker ahead of the Visual C++ linker in your path. You
can check this by looking in Environment from the Visual Workbench Options
menu (if compiling from the environment) or by typing PATH from the command 
line (if compiling from DOS).

>   *  Even the Microsoft Hotline language specialist had not
>      heard of Linkage Error 3! Then I mentioned my memory size ...

The lowest linker error is L1001. 

>   *  Who ever heard of "Hello World"failing to build!

It's always the first test for a new compiler. I've built it. Runs great. :-)

>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.

Turbo C++ for DOS and Visual C++ for Windows are aimed at different audiences
and have system requirements that reflect this.

>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.

Though you need to further define what you mean by "not suitable for teaching
with", I will not argue about Visual C++ not being a beginner's tool. When you
design a product, you have to target it to a specific audience, or run the
risk of disappointing everyone. Although Microsoft Access can build a 
fantastically powerful address book, CardFile is a much more reasonable tool
for maintaining most people's Christmas card list.

I think that the favorable comments I've seen in this newsgroup, on CompuServe,
at trade shows, and elsewhere indicates that we've created a tool that an awful
lot of programmers like. Including programmers who are still learning. I know
I am. :-)

       -Jonathan

P.S. Microsoft also sells QuickC for DOS Version 2.5, which runs well on a 
640K 286. This is used in many colleges and universities in the US.