Power C - here's the summary

[Dan Simoes]

I posted the following request:

I just received the latest "Byte block" or whatever it's called, and there is
an offer for "Power C -- the ANSI compatible C complier that runs faster
than Microsoft C, has more functions than Turbo C, and costs less than the K&R
book."  Sounds like another Coherent to me...
If anyone is using this, or has used it before, please let me know.
By the way, the price is $19.95!


And here are the responses:

--------------------------- 1 -----------------------------------------
I use Power C a lot. I find it to be a great bargain for $19.95. It has
most all the functions I will ever need on a PC. I suppose if you are a
heavy DOS hacker, you might be able to find faults with it. But if you
just need a C compiler that will do the job, and do it well, Power C is
for you. FYI, it produces an object file called filename.mix instead of
the usual filename.obj. But you have a utility to convert a .mix file to
a .obj file. For casual use, it is the best (and for the price too).

By the way, Mix isn't too bad if you don't push it very hard.  In
other words, yes, another Coherent.  It doesn't handle arrays of
functions very well, and the /q switch to create Microsoft-compatible
object files doesn't do anything at all.  If you want to link with
higher-level languages, there is simply no way to do it.

In defense of Mix, it is cheap, compiles most of your applications
just dandy, and the debugger (another $20 + handling) is nifty.

I, however, went ahead and blew the $140 for Turbo C Professional
after hitting the wall too many times with Mix.  So judge for
yourself.

---------------------------- 2 -----------------------------------------

I have Power C and like it just fine.  It has an optimizing pass, an
easy to use project file build capability, and a very good manual w/ a
C Tutorial, C reference, and library reference, as well as descriptions
of all the compiler and linker options; the book alone is worth
$19.95.  I think it's a great bargin, but don't expect everything you'd
get w/ MSC or TurboC.  If you're expecting to develop programs for
resale, get the MSC.  If you just want a good, inexpensive C for your
own use/enjoyment, go for it.  Past versions have had some problems w/
bugs and the support isn't all that great, but Mix Software has usually
sent me a free update when I've reported bugs (I test it for arcane
conformance cases I find testing the name-brand UNIX compiler at work
and let Mix know when theirs doesn't work, so they probably consider me
a pain.)  Note that the debugger is another $19.95 and $5 shipping per
order, so I'd recommend getting everything you're going to get at once
to save shipping.

Mix also offers library source for
$10, a Bourne shell ($19.95), UNIX-like file utilities ($19.95),
UNIX-like text utilities ($19.95), source for these 3 packages ($5 or
$10 each; I can't remember now), and a C database toolchest (you
guessed it! $19.95).  All is royalty free and not copy protected.

--------------------------- 3 ---------------------------------------------
I use it for everything, and love it!

You will not find a better value for general purpose c-chunking.

I am able to compile almost anything that is in reasonable standard
unix c format on my pc with it.  Other compilers require consistent
rehacking of all sorts of minor things.  (Are you listening Microsoft
and Borland?)

I am not a professional c hacker or guru, but just a hobbiest type
that uses a little c almost daily in my laboratory (mostly minor
filters and such that I have written or imported from the net).

--------------------------- 4 ----------------------------------------------
I bought a copy of it about a year ago. Here's a rough summary of my
experiences.  Please note that I haven't checked out their latest
releases (if there are any).

Compiler was not really ANSI compatible. It was more a case of a K&R
compiler, extended to understand prototypes and enums. The version I
had did *not* check function calls agains prototypes as ANSI required.
Some of the silent changes made by ANSI were not in the compiler.  I'd
be rather cautious about their claims to ANSI compatibility - unless
it was substantiated by naming a particular test suite. Among other things
it failed to compile Duff's device in most of its forms.

The optimizer was buggy - several perfectly legal structs caused the
optimizer to abort. Since the optimizer couldn't be switched off, this
was a serious problem.

I found an inordinate number of problems with the so-called ANSI
library.  I sent a complete list to MIX, but I haven't saved it.
I remember that printf() did the wrong thing for several of the
less commonly used formats (I don't think it had all formats
required by ANSI), that random() didn't at behave as expected.

The compiler/linker does not use the usual .OBJ file format - it has
its own proprietary format. So you'll need a special linker. I seem to
recall there was a tool to convert .OBJ files to .MIX files, but I
never got it work properly.

The debugger is wonderful. Really. In my opinion it almost makes up
for the problems caused by the compiler. If you are planning to buy
the compiler, I recommend you buy the debuger at the same time.

All taken together, I got the impression that the compiler was worth no
more than I paid for it. The debugger was worth much more. I could use
the compiler to port programs that had been developed and debugged on other
machines, but I had problems with developing new programs, due to the
erratical typechecking. I didn't think it would be possible to use the
compiler to develop any large projects, so I switched to a better (though
more expensive compiler).

Please not that I had these problems with the MIX Power C tools released
about a year ago. I sent samples of all bugs I had found to MIX, but I didn't
get any reply. They should have been fixed by now. At least I hope so.

----------------------------- 5 --------------------------------------------
Search through past usenet articles and you'll find comments about this.

Briefly, I've been using it for serious work for several years. A great
bargain - decent compiler, full and good-quality libraries, nice full-screen
debugger. May not generate the fastest code around, but not many bugs.
Also a real nice book if you're not already a C wiz.

------------------------------ 6 -------------------------------------------

The company is Mix Software.
I just ordered a C/Database toolchest from them.
They told me about their compiler.  It sounds nice, but
I already have Turbo-C, and, hence, do not need another
compiler.  If you send me a message (e-mail) in about a week
I can give you an evaluation of their toolchest.  It won't
exactly tell you what you want to know about their compiler,
but I am under the impression that most companies put out the
same quality in all their products.  If the toolchest is good,
chances are that the compiler will be also.  If it sucks, then
the compiler probably does as well.  I do know that I talked to
one of their technical people, and she seemed to be very
knowledgable (can't say the same about the sales people though).
Also, they give a 60 day money back guarantee on all their
products.  For 19.95, (if I didn't already have a C compiler)
I'd certainly give it a try.

------------------------------ 7 --------------------------------------------
I have the original Power C compiler that I purchased almost two years ago.
I really believe that is the best buy in a compiler.  Period.  I personally
use Turbo C++ simply because the TC++ environment is unbeatable for
development.  However, the Power C REFERENCE MANUAL is worth the price
alone!  Also, having the source code for only 10 dollars is nice.  And
that source code has an assembler with it!

Here is the summary as far as I can tell:

Pros:

Power C is Turbo C compatible syntactically.
Power C is inexpensive.
The documentation is worth the price alone (just the C tutorial alone!)
Power C-trace, the debugger, is VERY powerful.
Source for the library is available and is usually pretty nice.
MIX Software has pretty nice and knowledgable people.
Granular floating point library.

Cons:

No integrated environment.
PCA (Power C ASM) doesn't use MASM syntax.
Can't use Borland or Microsoft .OBJ files.
Supported only Medium memory model (this was the first version only).


I personally reommend it for someone who wants to dabble with the
language.  For actual code generation though, I stick with Borland.
But some people just can't afford to pay the dollars for a good
debugger and environment.  They are the ones who can't go wrong with
Power C.  I like it a lot, but I've outgrown it.

------------------------------ 8 -------------------------------------------
i'm using power c and i,m very happy with.
it has a lot of functions (windows, graphics etc) and a good documentation.
i bought it for 79.- DM

------------------------------- 9 -----------------------------------------
This is, despite the price, a very decent compiler. I prefer it to the
gargantuan MS-C system, which is more extensive, allows for cross-language
development, and is so-user friendly that it eats up a whole hard disk with
help files alone. Power C comes with source for the lib for an additional
$ 10, and for another $ 19.95 you get Power Ctrace, an excellent source
level debugger. Although perhaps Turbo and MS are to be preferred for
very large applications, for multiple memory models, for sophisticated
memory management, etc., I find that I can do most things I want to
do in Power C (and I can switch to Ms C later anyway). By the way: the
documentation is not bad either.

------------------------------- 10 ------------------------------------------

> And here's the kicker:
Prewritten summary available from math.princeton.edu:pub/rjc/csip/compilers.Z

--------------------- end of responses --------------------------------------

Well, that's all folks.  Hope this was of any use to someone, I know it is to
me.  Thanks again to all who responded.

By the way, the number for Mix (if anyone wants to buy PowerC) is:
 1-800-333-0330.

I am not affiliated with Mix in any way!

I was amused that a few people commented on my .signature.  It's just that I'm
trying to get away from pirating software by buying (eek) my own copies.  On a
college student's budget, however, this can be quite frustrating.  Now, if
they only made a _Power Pascal_, _Power Word for Windows_, _Power dBASE_, etc.

;-)!!!!!!

Dan Simoes                             dans at crpmks.UUCP      (914) 785-2250
Manhattanville College '92             CIBA-Geigy Corp.
Disclaimer: que sera, sera
Quote: "Software is overpriced - lower the prices and there will be no
        piracy" (Me!)