Mail Archives: djgpp/1999/10/25/19:01:57
> > With DJGPP, you have allegro, and Jonipx, RSXNTDJ,
> >and tons of various other stuff... by writing code under djgpp, I've learned to
> >use libraries, but I haven't learned any of the low level algorithms it takes
> >to do serious graphics... heck, for me and most of the programmers in my class,
> >without allegro, we are still in text mode. Using DJGPP is robbing us of
> >knowledge.
>
> Oh come off it! Nothing is *forcing* you to use those libraries. I've
> written a game using DJGPP which used VGA graphics and keyboard
> interrupts without even looking at the Allegro library, and without
> using anyones code but my own & a friends (who incidentally wrote most
> of the game engine, but none of the lower level stuff - I did all that
> myself).
>
> Davin.
Yes, I know, no one is forcing me to use the libraries...
I know how to do most graphics stuff in mode 13h (such as off screen
buffers and stuff) without allegro. In VESA modes, I have problems. The kids in
my class that don't know this stuff, would be using allegro and would not able
to do their own, customized graphics functions. None of us know how to do sound,
joystick stuff, keyboard handling, image manipulation, or any of the more
advanced stuff.
I don't like the BC compiler any more than you do... I personally prefer
DJGPP to BC because of it's speed and stability, (and the BC IDE gives me
headaches, no offense to you RHIDE guys :).
It's just that kids that don't even know how to program yet shouldn't
be using libraries that do everything they want or else they will become
dependent, or will not find a need to learn low level stuff until they get to
college, and then they wont be as prepared as the guys who did write their own
stuff in high school instead of using a library.
If I were a teacher, I would probably install DJGPP, but I would not let my
class use libraries. I would make them write their own stuff... which brings
up the point, without the libraries, the students aren't going to know the
difference between the BC compiler and DJGPP. They aren't going to be writing
quake engines, or real-time rendering software, they are going to be writing
programs that build linked lists, binary trees, and run quick sorts. They will
be writing tiny database programs, and possibly even a simple game or two.
Believe it or not, it is just as easy to code most of this stuff under BC as it
is under DJGPP. In fact, most of the stuff I've done this year compiles on
DJGPP without any modifications. If the district/school has already bought BC,
I'd probably stick with it, instead of re-imaging, and setting all of the
computers up for DJGPP. This is why I don't blame my teachers for not
running up and embracing it for the glory that is DJGPP, and burning the old
crappy BC floppies.
Anyway... sorry for the huge lecture and message... (especially to those of you
who are on really slow connections)
--
Jared Stevens
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