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haziz 03-10-2012 07:57 PM

Kernighan & Plauger: Software Tools. Ratfor vs Pascal for a Student of C?
 
Kernighan and Plauger's Software Tools book is available in two versions, the original one using code in Ratfor (Rational Fortran: Fortran 66 with C influences, if I am understanding correctly) and in a 1981 revision using Pascal as the language.

Which version would you recommend for a student working mostly in C and why?

wpeckham 03-11-2012 12:27 PM

Ratfor
 
The logic and structure in Pascal is more like that in C than is the case with RATFOR.

Just from curiosity, why are you not considering any of the excellent books that use C or C++ examples?

haziz 03-12-2012 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpeckham (Post 4624118)
The logic and structure in Pascal is more like that in C than is the case with RATFOR.

Just from curiosity, why are you not considering any of the excellent books that use C or C++ examples?

I would still favor working with this book. It covers Program design from a "Unixy" perspective by one of the original Unix, and C, stalwarts, and is also fairly brief, compared to for example Code Complete. There is a reason it is still in print 35 years later. Interestingly Kernighan (who by that point had also participated in writing K&R (1st edition), wrote his often quoted article:

Why Pascal is Not My Favorite Programming Language

After working on the Pascal version of the book.


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