10/6/'99


Hello PICkers,

[Multi layered flame suit on]

Isn't it great how we nearly all latch onto a topic, and well may perhaps
loose sight of the real intentions. So what do I mean? Well I am looking at
this C stuff that is being bannered around, and the mine is bigger than
yours type responses. But that is just a side issue. The real reasons for C
is:-

        TIME TO MARKET

Why worry if compiler X produces more code than compiler Y, as long as it
gets you to the market place before  Fred Nurke and his U-bute hand coded
assembly? OK so you may have a speed issue or a memory limitation, but they
can be worked out by hand, bigger chip or faster processor. Remember that
it is 5% of the code that causes 90% of the problems. So your trusty C
compiler will do the hard work, and you only need to attend to the
"Important" stuff that causes the product NOT TO WORK as required.

        IF IT WORKS AND FITS WHO CARES

Only you do!

        COST IMPACT

Yes agreed that there may be cause to worry about this if the compiler
causes you to use a larger chip on a cost sensitive product. But again hand
crafting the bits that matter may simply resolve this.

        YOU TOO CAN HAVE A LIFE

Getting the product to the market place on time means that you will not
loose your week ends, hey who is that woman in my bed-> Its the wife!

        EASE OF MAINTENANCE

Yep, good one, take a look at some real tricky assembler that you created
some 3 years ago, how long does it take to figure out what it does?


        A HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGE MAKES LIFE EASY

See all of the above :)

Dennis
[Multi layered flame suit off]