Date   : Tue, 22 Oct 1985 14:48:00 PDT
From   : Alan Bomberger <ACB.COR@OFFICE-1.ARPA>
Subject: MIX editor

Based on the recent interest in MIX C and Editor, I would like to reask a 
question I posted earlier.  Just after posting I lost my network connection due
to a change in address.  So I repeat the questions.  Sorry if I cause much 
repeating of answers.

Is the MIX editor written in Turbo?

I ask because the MIX editor does not run on my system and I want to avoid 
buying the language that it was written in.  Why does it not run you ask?  My 
system runs with interrupts active so that I can have console type ahead.  The 
MIX editor does everything but work with interrupts active.  Either the run 
time code is mismanaging the stack (say by fetching values from the stack 
"below" the stack pointer) or switching stacks and not leaving room for entries
caused by interrupts. I have no trouble if I run without interrupts.  I guessed
at Turbo because of the strange run time error messages I got about heaps and 
stacks that printed out when I tried it with interrupts enabled.

Other comments about MIX are that it is reasonably powerful.  I got it to 
behave like Magic Wand (my favorite editor) and its macro capability seems very
nice (especially for the price).  It is, however, VERY slow and VERY large 
(medium level languages have this problem).  Even with tons of overlays only a 
16K buffer is left on my 59K Northstar system (Magic Wand leaves over 40K).

I got it because it handles split screens and was programmable.  I will 
probably use it for those tasks that require those features.  Must be a lot 
better with bigger memories and faster CPU's.  Is writing fast, compact, and 
powerful code a lost art?