library with abstract data types?

[ed]

Hey all. I use Perl and PHP on a daily regular basis.
So I'm used to writing code with a basic syntax that's very similar to
C.
I'd like to get comfortable enough with C itself though, so I could
use it if I needed to.

I was wondering if you guys can recommend any libraries that offer
abstract data types. A library that will help make the language a
little safer
and easier to use for a C novice.
I'd especially like to find one that's object based.

I've been looking at this one:
http://www.softwaresensation.com/memsl/memslc.html

It looks pretty good to me, but I really wouldn't know since I'm not
a C programmer(yet).

Any help appreciated.


tia,
--ed

 

[Richard Heathfield]

I've been looking at this [library]:
<spam URL snipped>

It looks pretty good to me, but I really wouldn't know since I'm not
a C programmer(yet).

Two and a half megabytes zipped, on a dialup. Ouch.

I was going to give you the lowdown on some of the code's problems, but I'm
not allowed:

** This file contains valuable trade secrets and proprietary
** assets of Windbase Software Inc. Embodying substantial
** creative efforts and confidential information. Unauthorized
** use, copying, decompiling, translating, disclosure or
** transfer, of any kind, is strictly prohibited.

The first sentence is nonsense, of course; the file /can't/ contain valuable
trade secrets if they let anyone and everyone download the thing from their
web site. But the bottom line appears to be that they don't want me to use
their stuff.

I'm not allowed to translate it, so compilation (which is translation) is
out. Just as well, since it hasn't a hope in hell of building on my system
without some serious hacking around.

Disclosure - i.e. telling you the problems - appears to be disallowed.

Even downloading it constitutes making a copy (and also transferring) so,
strictly, I shouldn't have done that either, although in my defence I
didn't actually see the notice until after I'd unzipped the software.

One thing I /can/ say is this: I see no reason to bother any further with
this library, and I would advise you to do the same if you want to learn
portable programming techniques, which is what C is all about.

 

[Malcolm]

I was wondering if you guys can recommend any libraries that offer
abstract data types. A library that will help make the language a
little safer and easier to use for a C novice.
I'd especially like to find one that's object based.

You'll have your hands full with the standard library if you're a C novice.

If you want to go the object route I would advise learning C++ first. Not
that I've anything against C object libraries, but it is almost guaranteed
that the library writers are familiar with C++, and you are therefore on the
same wavelength when using the library.

 

[ed]

Thanks for replies.

I have the book "C Primer Plus". There's some code examples of
abstract types for a list, queue, and binary tree, but I can't find
the code samples in digital format anywhere.
I guess I could type 'em out, but it would still be nice to at least a
Dictionary.
I guess I'll keep looking.
Thanks again.

--ed