MPW C++ is based on AT&T C++ Release 2.0 and includes a number of enhancements to provide smooth integration of C++ into the Macintosh environment. Support for the Macintosh toolbox, SANE, SADE, and more has been implemented in MPW C++. The ability to debug C++ applications at the C++ source level (rather than trying to debug the output of CFront) makes programming with C++ much easier.
C++ opens the doors to the benefits of object-oriented programming (OOP) to C programmers. An object-oriented language alone is only a beginning, a mature application class library is also needed. MPW C++ can be used with Apple's third-generation application class library (MacApp) by using the special headers included with MacApp 2.0 itself. The combination of MacApp and MPW C++ provides a robust development system that delivers a key competitive advantage to our developers.
MPW C++ v.3.1B4 addresses the speed issues surrounding CFront by providing support for "pre-compiled headers" (often known as "load/dump"). When compared to the initial release of MPW C++ (v.3.1B1), pre-compiled headers provides a 2x-3x speed improvement. The speed differences is very noticable when using MPW C++ with MacApp because of the large header files used to provide access to MacApp from C++.
BENEFITS:
• Provides object-oriented programming to developers using C
• Supports MacApp, Apple's application class library for the Macintosh
• Faster build times reduce overall development cycle
FEATURES:
• Supports precompiled headers for faster build times
• Support for object programming
• Extensions for the Macintosh Toolbox and operating system
• Can be used with MacApp
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
A Macintosh Plus, Macintosh SE, or Macintosh II personal computer or later model with at least 2MB RAM. Also required are a hard disk, Macintosh System Software v. 6.0.2 or later, Macintosh Programmer’s Workshop Development Environment v. 3.1 or later, and MPW C v. 3.1 or later. Highly recommended are at least 4MB of RAM and a 68020- or 68030-based Macintosh.
VERSIONS INCLUDED IN E.T.O. #1
E.T.O. #1 includes two version of MPW C++. The current APDA version (MPW C++ v.3.1B1) and a newer, not quite final, version that includes several key new features (MPW C++ 3.1B4).
SPECIAL WITH E.T.O.
The addition of support for using MultiFinder memory from MPW C++ instead of being forced into having a large partition for MPW's shell dramatically increases the overall functionality of Macintoshes with less than 8 megs of memory. Prior to this addition, using MPW C++ with MacApp on a four meg Macintosh essentially required the use of SingleFinder (Since MPW required at least 3 megs of RAM during compiles). Now, the same source code can be built under a 1.5 meg MPW Shell partition (using MultiFinder), leaving enough room to run the application under development without always having to quit MPW.
ABOUT THE PRE-RELEASE VERSION
MPW C++ v.3.1B4 is not available through APDA as a stand-alone package (only version 3.1B1 is) because the new features that have been added since v.3.1B1 are not fully tested and may still have bugs (see the release notes). There are three new features in v.3.1B4 that are not in v.3.1B1. These are: load/dump (provides roughly a 2x speed improvement), MultiFinder memory support (makes Macs with less than 8 megs of RAM more productive while using MPW C++), and auto-marking (allows CFront to create "marks" of data, functions, and types within source file being compiled). These new features are important enough to developers currently using v.3.1B1 that we are providing them here in a not-quite-finished form in an effort to expedite your development cycle.
CAUTION USING THE PRE-RELEASE VERSION!
As with any pre-final product, bugs exist... There are no known harmful bugs in either MPW C++ 3.1B1 or MPW C++ 3.1B4.
IN THE FUTURE
MPW C++ v.3.1B1 and v.3.1B4 are based on AT&T C++ Release 2.0. C++ Release 2.1 is now available and is primarily a maintanence release. We're in the process of integrating CFront 2.1 with our Macintosh-specific enhancements and hope to have an experimental version of this on the next E.T.O.
