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

From: rwallace@unix1.tcd.ie (russell wallace)

Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 18:14:32 +0000

In <1992Sep28.142114.11173@news.acns.nwu.edu> skrenta@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Rich Skrenta) writes:

>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.

Yes, efficiency is indeed a small bonus, rather than an important
concern. However, I would disagree with you about C being awful for this
sort of code; but then again, I suppose it's a matter of taste. Two
observations: First, if you're already proficient with C but have never
used C++, might be better to stick with what you know (rather than
trying simultaneously to learn C++ *and* how to write PBM games).
Second, if you don't know either language, C is a much simpler language
to learn, so similar considerations apply.

On the other hand, if you've used C++ and like it, by all means write
the game in C++.

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

Yes, I will agree with this. (With my above reservations about jumping
into object-oriented programming and PBM games simultaneously. Maybe it
would be better to write the first version in C, and try C++ for the
second version.)

--
"To summarize the summary of the summary: people are a problem"
Russell Wallace, Trinity College, Dublin
rwallace@unix1.tcd.ie

References

Re: Programming a PBM game: What language is best?
rwallace@unix1.tcd.ie (russell wallace)
Mon, 28 Sep 1992 10:34:58 +0000
Re: Programming a PBM game: What language is best?
skrenta@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Rich Skrenta)
Mon, 28 Sep 1992 14:21:14 +0000