Low level, Low level, long long time ago …
Just got back right after learning Objective-C for programming iOS program with the following book written by Matt Neuburg.
Finished first 3 chapters already which mostly about the history of C language, and Objective-C, and introduction of using Objective-C language.
It reminds me a lot to C programming language, my oldie good friend back in high school when I started learning to program.
What’s actually the low-level is the power. I realized why banking system won’t step away from COBOL as their system is backed by that programming language for such a long time. Their systems are created based on that thing. It’s stable, it works and has worked since a long time ago as well. Even though todays, we have completely new programming language which is more powerful and more robust in development, but why taking risk and re-write the whole thing to get un-proven systems ?
I guess nobody would eager to do that as if they did, there should be notable systems developed by other higher level programming language out there clearly seen now. (cases taken in Thailand). I’m not expert to know stuff behind the scene of banking system, but it would be great if someone could prove me wrong here :)
I’m a bit off topic now, but my point is …
Objective-C is such an old programming language in which it can still be used to develop modern app nowadays. After being familiar with it through reading its code usage, at first glance and first impression, I don’t think it’s robust enough and its syntax is not that clean enough as well but because of the backing system (Cocoa system) is implemented based on this language, so the show must go on. Developers who use it later on have to obey to what is already prove in both term of functionality and performance. No matter what, I’m in man, I’m in !
I don’t say that I don’t like low level programming language. I love it as much as I do love having high productive outcome when using higher programming language. Sure thing, if some events take me back to old time using C/C++ then I admit I can’t deny the offer.
Ability to control memory allocation, and working with pointers and low-level datatype are the things programers want to have control over. In best case, they don’t want to be rely on automatic sub-system to manage their own memory or some other things (I think I’m too serious about memory now ha hah !) in developing performance oriented application.
Nonetheless, although at first glance I’m a little bit unhappy of syntax shown in Objective-C but after taking some time with it I really believe it’s actually OKAY and it’s pretty similar to what C/C++ have shown. From now, it would take quite some time before I could have a first on-screen test over cocos2d shown. I need to finish this thing off first.
Happy coding guys !
