From: nicted@toz.buffalo.ny.us (Nicole Tedesco)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: CLOS For The IBM-PC: The Summary and My Opinions :-)
Date: 15 Apr 92 00:25:10 GMT
Organization: The Tower of Zot - (716)838-0220

My response for CLOS on the IBM-PC
==================================
 
A short time ago, I had posted a request for any information about CLOS
(Common LISP Object System) for IBM-PC's.  I did not get very many 
replies,
but I will post the ones I did receive.
 
One person had asked me what did CLOS have to do with C++?  My reply is,
"It has A LOT" to do with it."  So does Smalltalk.  So does the OMS/ORB
manager.  A recent C++ critique, written by ian@syacus.acus.oz.au (Ian
Joyner), places C++ into perspective.  The one problem of C++ that 
concerns
me now is this lack of dynamic object management.  By combining C++ with
other languages or system-wide management schemes (CLOS language, OMS/ORB
manager) more flexible programming solutions can be approached.
 
As for CLOS on the IBM-PC, well I have so far called the two sources
listed below.  I have yet tctually get my hands on either one of them.
However, my interviews with members of the two companies left me with
impressions that I include...
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Says mab@mcdd1.uucp (Martin Bradford),
 
> Try Software Engineer from Raindrop Software (U.S. 214-234-2611) - 
seems
> to do what you want under Microsoft Windows. Costs about 250 dollars. I
> haven't had a chance to evaluate it yet so can't comment on quality.
>
>       Regards,
>
>       Martin Bradford.
 
This CLOS implementation seems to be adequate and inexpensive (probably
does the job quite well), but I don't think it will address my 
portability
standards.  This product is - as admitted ferverently (sp?) by the
company - married very closely with the Microsoft Windows paradigm.
This scares me.
 
Their "Software Engineer" CLOS product is young, I have maturaty 
questions
about it.  However, you can't beat the price!  If MS Windows development
is OK by you, and if your projects are not TOO big and complex, then it
is probably a good deal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Says, acsu.buffalo.edu!jamsun.IC.ORNL.GOV!mullens (Jim Mullens)
 
> Gold Hill, Inc.
> Cambridge, MA
> Marc Gedansky
> 617-621-3300 (FAX 617-621-0656)
 
Simple.  Direct.  Right to the point.  I have interviewed Marc, and it
seems this product is probably a very good implementation of CLOS.  Also,
they support their product for a wide range of platforms (MS Windows,
OS/2, Unix, and so forth).  This product comes with a decent set of
development tools.  However, the $1995 is a bit higher than Raindrops'.
Not only that, but you also pay about $50 (or was it $500?) for each
RUNTIME LISCENSE.  (Runtime liscenses KILL me - hrumph!)  However,
this product is about eight years old, and portability does not seem
to be an issue here.  Development tools + maturity + portability =
sounds good to me.  If I can justify the the runtime costs...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-

- Nicole Tedesco

---------------------------------------------------------------------
nicted@toz.buffalo.ny.us (Nicole Tedesco)
-- Change this!