Re: Programming a PBM game: What language is best?

From: skrenta@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Rich Skrenta)

Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 14:21:14 +0000

C++ does seem ideal for this sort of project.  I'd stay as far away
from Icon/Snobol as you can, which shouldn't be too hard since
interpreters for them seem to be fading away.

rwallace@unix1.tcd.ie (russell wallace) writes:
> I would recommend C as the language for this, as it is easy to program
> in, easy to maintain the program once written, excellent for handling
> complex data structures like linked lists that will probably be needed,
> produces efficient code and last but not least is portable.

Portability is good, but you'll have that with C++.  C is truly awful
for this sort of code, although it's a good language to know.  Efficiency
is not a concern at all.  The one thing PBM programming gives you is the
right to use inefficient algorithms.  Who cares if it takes one minute or
two, when the turnaround is measured in days?  Program for simplicity,
not speed.  Optimize later if you must.

There are two possible choices:  either program in a language you know,
or one you want to learn.

> I would say, go for getting a relatively simple
> design working, and then plan on doing a rewrite at some stage when you
> have a better idea of what you want, rather than trying to do a huge
> monolithic specification, a huge monolithic design, a huge monolithic
> program, that you will spend a huge amount of time getting to work.

Good advice.  Go straight for a working system as fast as possible.
An actual working game, even if it is not complete, will keep your
interest up and allow you to get playtesters in.  Don't sit around
designing the ultimate monster which will never be coded.

--
Rich Skrenta

References

Re: Programming a PBM game: What language is best?
rwallace@unix1.tcd.ie (russell wallace)
Mon, 28 Sep 1992 10:34:58 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Programming a PBM game: What language is best?
rwallace@unix1.tcd.ie (russell wallace)
Mon, 28 Sep 1992 10:34:58 +0000