Parallax Forums
  HomeLog InRegisterCommunity CalendarSearch the ForumHelp
   
Parallax Forums > Public Forums > Propeller Chip > How would you describe Spin as a language?  Forum Quick Jump
 
New Topic Post Reply Printable Version
110 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page :
 1  2  3  4  5 
[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> ] | Show Newest Post First ]

RossH
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jun 2008
Total Posts : 411
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 12:40 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hi Dave,

I thought using library functions was outside the scope of Sam's challenge, since most C compilers would throw warnings about functions with implicit prototypes - but on re-reading I see he just wanted to avoid #include. So your programs are good examples.

Ross.


Catalina - a FREE C compiler for the Propeller - see Catalina

Back to Top
 

Nick Mueller
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 697
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 12:56 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
> but on re-reading I see he just wanted to avoid #include.

No, initially, it was "No header-files". Later on, he changed it to "no #includes at all". But that extension so braindead, that it even excludes SPIN.

...

I already see a posting in 48 points comming up and saying "SPIN has no #includes !!!!!!!". My answer will be: "So delete the files which the objects you use reference to and you will see wether SPIN includes files or not.".

Edit:
BTW, that might be a trick to have includes in SPIN!


Nick


Never use force, just go for a bigger hammer!

The DIY Digital-Readout for mills, lathes etc.:
YADRO

Back to Top
 

Dave Andreae (Parallax)
Forum Moderator



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 1045
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 12:56 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hey guys, 
 
I realize everybody has an opinion here, however, let's try and keep it in a positive productive tone.  We're all here to learn and share information to help one another.
 
Thank you,
 
Dave


Dave Andreae
Parallax Tech Support 

Post Edited (Dave Andreae (Parallax)) : 11/3/2009 9:02:44 PM GMT

Back to Top
 

Tracy Allen
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 2847
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 1:44 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Peter, Are you any closer to your goal, "how would you describe Spin as language and do so succinctly and positively?". I for one am curious what you come up with for a short list and whether it is generic or audience-specific. For me the essential features are quick prototyping, short learning curve, modularity, small footprint, and closeness to the power of the unique hardware.


Tracy Allen
www.emesystems.com

Back to Top
 

RossH
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jun 2008
Total Posts : 411
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 1:49 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
@all,

Yes, by all means let Peter get his thread back!. I like Tracy's definition of SPIN since it completely avoids any references to other languages. That should save on arguments!

Ross.


Catalina - a FREE C compiler for the Propeller - see Catalina

Back to Top
 

whiteoxe
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 97
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 4:47 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I remember being taught VB6. The Synopsis explained VB6 would be used to teach us OOP. The lecturer/tutorial leader I had was cranky it had been described as an OOP language, he had wanted us to learn Smalltalk which was axed. For my part I didn't care I just wanted to learn any language. The basics of getting started in Spin to get anything done felt easier than BASIC. I am in awe of the depths of understanding some of you have of languages. Seems of course the more you know the polarized the opinions.
Back to Top
 

jazzed
_oOo_(^^)_oOo_

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jan 2008
Total Posts : 2114
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 6:46 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
_spinner said...
Seems of course the more you know the polarized the opinions.

This is a great observation. I used to write PHP while wearing Ray-Ban sun glasses scool
Some people make their living writing one language or another; that *can* damage objectivity.
Back to Top
 

Pavel
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 37
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 8:10 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Seems of course the more you know the polarized the opinions.

In my experience, this is a lot more seen on INTERNET forums than in the world of professional software development. I work as a professional software engineer since 1996 and no matter what project I worked on, the choice of the language always came out of the analysis of required product features, targeted platforms and intended market. Once that decision is made, it's pretty much "learn or quit" and life's a lot easier if you maintain pragmatic attitude.
Back to Top
 

RossH
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jun 2008
Total Posts : 411
 
   Posted 11/3/2009 8:39 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
@Pavel,

Wow - you're lucky! You are entirely correct that the logical choice of language comes out of the analysis of required product features, targeted platorms and intended market - but in my experience most projects then go ahead and implement using something completely different anyway. Lots of reasons for this - either because it's all that is available, or all the customer is willing to pay for, or because the customer specifically demands it - often contrary to all logic and reason.

Ross.


Catalina - a FREE C compiler for the Propeller - see Catalina

Back to Top
 

max72
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailablePrivate Messaging Not AvailableAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Nov 2008
Total Posts : 64
 
   Posted 11/4/2009 1:33 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I would like to add my experience on Spin.
I programmed in the past with many language but I have never been even a decent programmer in anyone.
I usually made what I had to do with the tool that at the moment looked a good solution.
For instance matrix calculations with Matlab/Scilab, GPIB interfacing with C/C++, string handling with Perl or even Vi, and so on.
All the times I tried to combine the usual programming structure (If,while,operators..) with the strength/weakness of the tool I had. The usual structures required only to adapt to the new syntax, while the other aspects are unique of every tool.
I cannot even understand many of the aspects discussed here, and even less have an opinion, but for my programming/user level the same problem still applies. The basic structure is more or less the same, only syntax changes, while the specific aspects are unique by definition. Even moving between basic stamps versions requires adapting.
Spin from my point of view is just another tool, even if really pleasant. Moving to is has been straightforward. Moreover it looks like the right tool for the Propeller, because it works smoothly, and I was able to use it in no time.
On the other hand the aspect required time to adapt to is the multicog structure, but I guess is language independent.

Bottom line: As a casual user I'm happy there is Spin, I use it, and I would describe it as a language similar to many others but the right one for the Propeller... probably not what you could write in an official doc...

Massimo
Back to Top
 
[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> ]
New Topic Post Reply Printable Version
110 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page :
 1  2  3  4  5 
 
Forum Information
Currently it is Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:45 AM (GMT -8)
There are a total of 393,866 posts in 55,536 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 84 new threads and 716 reply posts. View Active Threads
Who's Online
This forum has 17693 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, Fosco.
74 Guest(s), 10 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
Ahle2, Mike Green, Jim Fouch, JRetSapDoog, Dogg, hover1, Harley, Beau Schwabe (Parallax), Tubular, MicroDirk