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I'm developing my own system (now running on a UNIX platform) in
such a way that it will run on a range of target machines, from PC
and Mac to Sun and SONY Playstation (seriously!). Using the CodeWarrior
C/C++ compiler.
I have my choice of platforms to use in trading: Pentium, Mac G3,
UNIX Workstations. I use the Mac as the "master control" and
the Pentium to run the QCharts tick and sales information --- because
although I can run the QCharts on the Mac using a Pentium emulator (VirtualPC),
the data communications on the Mac can't be shared between the Mac and
the VirtualPC.
Why no trading software on the Mac? The cross-platform development tools
simply weren't there when the applications were being developed. It
is NOT a simple task to port C programs between environments and the
interface to the respective windowing systems (Windows and Mac (and X))
varies WIDELY among the platforms/operating-systems.
Why Mac? It is MUCH easier to cut & paste between windows. I can
get a UNIX version (MachTen) that runs alongside the MacOS (no dual-boot
stuff).
Why PC? WindowsNT was more bullet-proof than Mac, until System 8.5 on
the Mac. Complex applications MAY be simpler using OLE (Open Linking
and Embedding) --- haven't done THAT yet, but I've seen some
neat stuff (like QCharts) that use it and excell because of it.
The speed of the Mac G3 is simply astounding. It is about 3 times
faster than the $250,000 (in 1991) UNIX workstation. Eventually,
however, the disk I/O and bus speed will catch you.
Recently, one of my former students reminded me that in 1970, I
predicted that the computer market would come to paying for the software
and getting the computer thrown in for free.
Cheers,
Rob Lake
rbl@xxxxxxxxxxx
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