Date : Tue, 10 Apr 1984 10:39:16 PST (Tuesday)
From : Bicer.ES@Xerox.ARPA
Subject: Re: BDS C
This is the updated version of my older list of the C compilers for
CP/M 80. For the people who have been observing my discussion with
Russ Smith, you should note that Russ Smith and I do agree on C/80
and BDS C issue (even though it may not be obvious from our messages).
There are several C's available for CP/M80. The prices quoted are
the list prices, and most/all of the compilers can be purchased at
a discount.
1 - BDS C: Great to learn C with. Very fast compiler,
respectable execution speed, source code of the libraries
and a well supported user's group. But it is not a full
implementation of C (lacks longs, floats, statics, and
initializers). $150.
2 - MANX AZTEC CII: Very good compiler (I use it for
production work), full implementation, you get the source
of the libraries, assembler output of the compiler can be
further hand optimized, an 8086 and 6502 and PDP-11
versions are available. Fast execution speed, but
compilation speed can be improoved usin a hard disk or
a ram disk. $199.
3 - Whitesmith's C: Don't touch it if you don't have to.
Incredibly slow compilation times, and their libraries
do not resemble the other ones that I know. $600???
4 - Echo C: For Z-80 only. Heard good things, but never seen
it.
5 - Supersoft C:I'd rather have Aztec C. Slower compilation
times, not a full implementation (the version I have),
and pain in the neck to develop software with (terrible
linking problems -too much code gets included-).
6 - C/80: A subset of C with respectable execution speed,
(apparently faster than BDS C), for only $50. I think it
produces assembler output. People interested in this compiler
should also look at 'Small C', which also includes the source
of the compiler (written in C).
Please feel free to send me info on this list, so next person who
needs advice on C compilers gets an updated list.
Jack Bicer