Re: Inform--I need help


8 Aug 1995 14:47:20 -0700

Andrew C. Plotkin (erkyrath+@CMU.EDU) wrote:
: rad@crl.com (Robert A. DeLisle) writes:
: > Now--add the 'for' syntax.
: > (I asked my son who programs in anything and he will supply a C manual).
: > I do not know C and there must be others. The 'for' loop is
: > not the same as BASIC. Unless there is a built in 'delay' routine,
: > I would like to use 'for' to put in a brief delay in statements.

: Bad! Bad idea! No idea biscuit!

: The length of the delay would vary wildly depending on what machine
: the game was running on. Totally uncontrollable. In fact, the compiler
: might eliminate the loop entirely if it did nothing.

: You could use the timed-input opcodes to delay a reliable interval,
: but I really don't recommend that either. People read at different
: speeds. The boring old "hit any key to continue" is really best for
: most uses.

You win! My programming was in BASIC with a Radio Shack COCO.
Everyone had the same computer, so no problem. It was a lot easier
than QBasic, etc. The 'hit any key' would not be suitable in this case.
I have a C manual now and will use it for reference.
BTW, my son thinks C and C++ should vanish from the earth. He won't
use either unless forced by a client. His pc world preference is Pascal.
AAD