Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!gatech!dcatla!mclek
From: mclek@dcatla.UUCP (Larry E. Kollar)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: C Language for Commodore 64/128
Keywords: Looking fo C compiler
Message-ID: <9625@dcatla.UUCP>
Date: 3 Oct 88 22:24:28 GMT
References: <1520@nunki.usc.edu>
Reply-To: mclek@sunb.UUCP (Larry E. Kollar)
Organization: DCA Inc., Alpharetta, GA
Lines: 62

In article <1520@nunki.usc.edu> aliu@nunki.usc.edu (Alejandro Liu) writes:
>I was thinking about buying a C Language compiler for the
>Commodore 64/128 (I have a 64 but soon I will have a 128)
>And I have some questions about it:

This is a question that comes up often.  While most people will say, "Go with
Power-C," I'll try to present a balanced comparison.

I have both Super-C and Power-C on my 128.  While I've been using Power-C almost
exclusively in the last year, each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.

Power-C --

	Strengths:
		Not copy-protected!!!
		Cheaper (about $39, includes both 64 and 128 versions)
		Faster compiling
		Smaller object code
		Faster object code
		Public-domain assembler available
		Can generate standalone code

	Weaknesses:
		User interface doesn't support RAM expansion cartridges
		Only 16-bit integers, standard BASIC-style floating point
		Doesn't handle initializing arrays of structs too well
		Documentation is poor, to offer an understatement

Super-C --

	Strengths:
		Supports 32-bit long integers, double-precision floating point
		Documentation is more complete
		Supports RAM expansion cartridges (including 512K cartridge)
		Editor supports color in source (nice for comment blocks & such)

	Weaknesses:
		Copy-protected - couldn't copy even with Copy II 64/128
		"Standalone" programs only with (distributable) Super-C shell
		Slower all around
		Non-SEQ file format (tradeoff:  you want color?)
		More expensive than Power-C (about $60-$70)
		You have to buy separate versions for 64 and 128

Basically, it depends on what you need.  If you're working with higher-precision
numbers, Super-C has no competition.  If you're trying to learn C itself,
Super-C is easier to work with because of decent documentation & some tutorial
information.  There is a little technical support for Super-C, including a
utilities disk (call Abacus).  Avoid Version 1 like the plague!!!

Most (all?) of the Usenet people prefer Power-C, which means you have a pretty
good informal support line right here.  If you're writing programs you want to
distribute, Power-C is the way to go.  If you want to mix C and assembler,
Power-C is the only way.  I heard there is (was?) a BBS for Power-C, run by
Pro-Line (the original authors).  Don't forget the assembler and other
public-domain utilities, written by Mark Rinfret (many thanks, Mark!).

Hope this helps,

	Larry Kollar	...!gatech!dcatla!mclek
	"It's easier to try, than to prove it can't be done,
	 And it's easier to stay, than to turn around and run."