From: zoey4pres AT aol DOT com (Zoey4Pres)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject: Re: DJGPP newbie..C newbie..
Date: 14 Nov 1997 15:30:07 GMT
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To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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I have found "C++ in plain english" to be a very good book that
is well written.  There is also "C in plain english."  Both are by
Brian Overland.

I would probably learn C++ first because of the advantages of
object-oriented programming.  Of course, if you're aiming at a
specific microprocessor/microcontroller you might want to find
out whether it has compilers that support C++ (C++ can generate
sizable code, a genuine disadvantage on embedded systems that
lack unlimited memory).  If you're programming for the desktop,
C++ is (IMHO) the way to go, most of us old pros learned C first
but I don't think that is best or the way of the future.

Java would be a better third choice than assembly.  Even assuming
you will never program for any other platform than the x86
architecture assembly is slow (to program, not to run), is changing
with advances in the architecture (MMX instructions and the next
generation IA-64, etc.) and compilers today are efficient enough
and memory cheap enough that assembly is/should hardly ever
be used unless execution time is of the utmost importance (real-
time programming interrupt handlers for instance).  Besides, it
is not portable to other microprocessor families.  The real world
extends well beyond the Intel x86 family.

Oops, Java, I mentioned that didn't I?  Looks like an up and comer
just by MicroIntelsoft's response.  It's object oriented, like C++,
and is becoming very popular (and remunerative) especially for
the Internet set.  Save VRML for later.  According to
ComputerWorld, July 7, 1997, 60% of C++ programmers are
learning it.

So, there you go, just my opinions.  I'm a well rounded hardware,
software, firmware engineer who is also new to djgpp (and TeX).
TeX is useful for printing out the info files for emacs, RHIDE,
etc., and emacs and TeX are good links from Wintel (DOS,
Windows 3.x, Win95 and best Win NT) to UNIX that rare bird of
academe and high-powered workstations.

Ciao and good luck.
Jeff Turner