Re: Low-level vs. High-level programming (was My First Computer)

[Richard Plinston <riplin@Azonic.co.nz>]

Kevin Lawton wrote:

> | programmer can implement a fast and efficient algorithm in Java that
> | would outperform a bad algorithm in C.
> 
> I think it would take a brilliant Java programmer and an extremely bad C
> algorithm for that situation to arise.

Not at all: Quicksort in Java vs. Bubblesort in C for sufficient items.

> My point was that given programmers of reasonably similar competency, the
> C code will be smaller and quicker than the Java. 

Was that 'source code' or 'executable code' ?

Was that C++ or C source ?  Does the C programmer have to write his own 
multi-threading ?

> Also, I would not expect
> the C programmer to take much longer than the Java programmer to write
> their program, though Java programmers appear to be paid a littlew more
> than C programmers. Net result, similar development costs but less
> efficient Java programs.

'Less efficient' at what ?  Maybe at raw execution speed (JIT caters for 
most of this), but not at multi-platform distribution.