C or C++ Summary

[Jim Kuzdrall]

   Thank you for all the helpful comments and information.  I am now 
much better prepared to justify my choice.

   It is a little difficult to tally your opinions as votes, but I will 
try to group them in dominant categories.

   The most common advantage mentioned for C++ was reusable, portable 
code, but there was an only slightly smaller number saying, for one 
reason or another, the code is rarely reused.  The point is moot in 
this case.  The code will never be reused because this is the final 
upgrade of a training system that is being replaced by a new concept.

   The most common disadvantage of C++ compared to C was the added 
complexity and the need for expert programming skills to get the most 
benefit from its disciplining and portability features.

   I hadn't considered the effect of constructor-destructor facility on 
code size and timing control.  Although problems can be avoided in 
application functions, and the STL functions can be avoided or 
rewritten, there is less advantage to using C++ if so much attention 
must be devoted to defeating its features. 

   The most common advantage of C cited was its "portable assembly 
language" aspect.  Since most of this program is low-level interaction 
with hardware and the processing of its raw data, this advantage weighs 
in heavily for this project.

    I think we can all agree that no programming language can protect a 
project against inept or inattentive programmers.  Since most of the 
programming errors I spend time on are logical slip-ups or oversights 
regarding the application (ignoring the syntax errors the compiler 
quickly catches), even a perfectly effective OOP language will only 
have a minor effect on my programming efficiency.  Beginning 
programmers probably benefit the most from the OOP safety net.

    Thank you again for the help.  The NH LUG is a great resource.

Jim Kuzdrall