Author: Bob Durrett
Date: 19:06:23 11/16/02
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On November 16, 2002 at 21:33:31, Tom Likens wrote: >On November 16, 2002 at 11:45:27, Bob Durrett wrote: > >> >>I'm Confused. C, C++, C#. Which to Use? >> >>I have an old Visual C++ compiler which I purchased many ago. >>But bulletins posted here seem to favor C, as opposed to C++ as >>if C is better than C++ for chess engine programming. >> >>Still trying to find the best C compiler to use for chess engine >>design on my Compaq 1 GHz 1GB RAM single-processor PC. >> >>Tried to download one but got error message saying NO! >> >>Yahoo! seems to find C++ compilers but not C compilers. >> >>Sorry for sounding like a child. : ( >> >>Bob D. > >Hello Bob, > >The truth be told you can write a strong chess program in either >C or C++ (I suspect the same is true of C#, but I've never used it >so I won't make an general statements). That being said I'd >recommend C for a more basic reason. There are a large number of >free tools that you can use to debug your program as you develop >it (which unfortunately you will spend a lot of time doing). > >Some of those free tools are valgrind, electric-fence and LcLint >among others. In fact, if you use gcc you can even patch it >so that it will check array bounds for you automatically. A real >plus since this is a fundamental weakness (or strength depending >on your perspective) of both C and C++. Unfortunately, these >programs don't support C++ as well as C. You can buy professional >programs that will do the job but they can be *very* expensive. > >If you use these tools from the start your program will be more >robust and your hair less gray ;) A small problem here: My hair is already grey, what's left of it. On the other hand, it sounds like chess programming might make part of my grey hair turn dark? Bob D. >Another advantage is that your >fundamental core routines, such as the move generator, hash table, >search, evaluation etc. will be solid. > >Good luck with your program, it is a *very* addictive hobby >so be prepared to kiss a large portion of your spare time >good-bye :) > >regards, >--tom Thank you very much for these helpful ideas. I will need them soon. Bob D.
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