Programming Languages

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We get a lot of requests for pointers to sources of programming tools, so I bundled them up for you. These are presented in no particular order. Some of these may seem a little odd... check 'em out.

If you don't know about the Free Software Foundation, you need to. Their accomplishments are too large to list here, but two of their greatest accomplishments are GCC, and GPP, IMNSHO the best C and C++ compilers ever. And wouldn't you know it, but a wonderful human named D. J. Delorie has ported it to DOS. You can find out more about it at Delorie Software

Now there is a free Win32 compiler! Mingw32 is a port of GCC for Windows 95 and Windows NT. The same great compiler behind that DJGPP is based on can now be used to write native Win32 programs.

My current favorite commercial compiler is Watcom C/C++ 11.0 But, I will probably buy my next C/C++ compiler from Microsoft... If you can't beat'em...

I will always have a fond spot for Borland. I started using their compilers with the original version of Turbo Pascal for CP/M on a 4Mhz Z80... A lot of people are developing games with Delphi.

PowerBASIC is a very nice BASIC compiler. If you are looking for something that is easy to use and inexpensive, check out PowerBASIC.

Scheme is one of the most elegant programming languages every invented. By the time you understand it you understand much of computer science. The Scheme repository is where you can find everything about Scheme. Including Elk a Scheme-based Extension Language Kit. Elk is version of Scheme that is designed to be built into other programs to be used as an extension language. Another source of information is Schememonster's Friends.

Java, what more can I say! If you can deal with a command line interface you can get everything you need to start programming in Java for free. Free is a compelling price.

Perl, is simply the... words fail me. I'm fascinated by this language. Learn it love it. You can get it for free for just about every kind of computer and OS. Also check out the Perl Institute.

NASM is a great freeware assembler. It works very well with DJGPP. I've been using it lately and I find it very easy to use. And, the best thing is that it is free.

Euphoria - Interesting (nearly) free programming system. Definitely worth checking it out.

Here is a list of languages suitable for use by kids of all ages, and sort of beginner, and people who love wonderful programming languages.

Logo has been used for teaching kids for a very long time. MSWLogo is nice implementation of Logo available for free from Softronics.

YoYo is billed at "Java for Kids." It is a new language being developed at the MIT Media Lab.

SiMPLE - A simple and cool language for kids of all ages. Designed for game development.

ToonTalk - Very nice system for kids to learn in.