The cheapest by far is GCC because it and all the attendent tools are
completely free and fully functional. However I think it's fair to say
that GCC is not really the best tool if you're just getting into
programming in C on the Palm. GCC configuration and use can be trying
even for an experienced programmer (I use it at home).
Codewarrior is probably your best bet - it's a nicely integrated
development environment (I use it at work). I don't know how much it
retails for but there's a 'free' Codewarrior Lite you can download from
http://www.palmos.com/dev/tech/tools/ . However I don't know what the
limitations of this free version are?
Personally I avoid tools like Pendragon FORMS, CASL etc. because
eventually you'll find there's something they won't let you do (and many
of them require run-time support you have to install on your Palm which
I kinda don't like - please don't flame me ;) ). I also find the claim
than ' some guy developed an application and they stated that it took
2000 lines of code and two weeks to do in C but only three hours to do
in Satellite Forms.' rather hard to believe. Sounds like the marketing
boys at work to me!
My 2c.
Stuart Nicholson
Programmer
Firepad Inc.
> ----------
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Reply To: Palm Developer Forum
> Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 11:45 AM
> To: Palm Developer Forum
> Subject: Beginner programming questions
>
> Hello all,
>
> I am new to this list and new (very) to Palm
> programming. I did some programming back in college but
> nothing recently. I have researched various options for
> getting into Palm programming and wanted to summarize
> and, hopefully, get input from this list. I have a
> couple of ideas for programs I'd like to try but I don't
> want to spend a lot of money for this part time interest.
>
> I first became interested when I came across
> PDAToolbox. It seems fairly easy to use but has
> limitation that would keep me from doing what I want to
> do. After reading a lot on the subject I decided C was
> the best way to go. This means, however, I now have to
> teach myself the C language. I don't think this will be
> too difficult to get the basics. I next, of course,
> needed something on my PC on which to write and compile
> programs. I found Codewarrior ($$$) and GCC. As I was
> doing this research I came across other options such as
> Satellite Forms, Pendragon Forms, Pandora, etc. These
> seem to be easy to work with, like PDAToolbox, but some
> are a little expensive. I'm not sure if any of these
> have any limitations like PDAToolbox either. I also
> read a review somewhere by a person who developed an
> application and they stated that it took 2000 lines of
> code and two weeks to do in C but only three hours to do
> in Satellite Forms.
>
> My questions: Any advise on the best (quickest,
> cheapest) way to get into programming? What are the
> advantages/disadvantages (limitations) of the various
> options?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help,
>
> Jeff
>
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