#metroworks

Today, I had a Java quiz. It was extremely simple, assuming that I had a competent IDE to use. Eclipse? I wish that were the case; I would've finished the quiz in 5 minutes tops if I was using Eclipse.

Instead, I had to use this ancient, proprietary, IDE called "Code Warrior" that nobody has ever heard of and is a piece of shit. I can't even figure out to make a new class file; it's complicated and doesn't even work the way that I expect it to work. Since I knew I was under pressure and didn't have time to figure out how to use it, I simply deleted lines of my calculator program and edited in the new stuff that was relevant to the quiz. I'm all set, right? I wish it were that easy. Code Warrior does not have a compiler built in, it uses the god awful Windows "cmd prompt" that wants to be a terminal but fails so hard. Error highlighting, right? Every good IDE underlines incorrect code in red and gives a small description about it. Code Warrior has no such feature. It waits until you attempt to compile the .java file and then hits you with a barrage of error messages that make no sense. Yep, you guessed it. It's the equivalent of writing code in notepad and manually compiling it using the words "javac example.java" and "java example."

Actually, it doesn't even do that. It compiles it to a .jar every time, which makes no fucking sense. Why on earth would I want my program to be compiled to a .jar unless I tell it to? What audience is Code Warrior catering in? What purpose is it serving? To be frank, nobody. I quickly Google searched "Code Warrior review" and the results gave me content dating back to 1997. No self-respecting programmer would use this instead of Eclipse or NetBeans (I personally do not like NetBeans, but at least it can call itself an IDE).

I did finish the quiz, but I almost ran out of time when I didn't need to. I'm going to ask my teacher on Monday if I can use Eclipse in a polite manner, and I will state the advantages for doing so. I already know Java, and using Eclipse will help me get my work done quicker. There are literally no downsides to using an IDE that I'm comfortable using, especially under pressure. Also, I don't exactly agree with using proprietary software, either.

1) Metroworks codewarrior, and java programming:

"CodeWarrior was originally developed by Metrowerks based on a C compiler and environment for the Motorola 68K, developed by Andreas Hommel and licensed to Metrowerks. The first versions of CodeWarrior targeted the PowerPC Macintosh, with much of the development done by a group from the original THINK C team. Much like THINK C, which was known for its fast compile times, CodeWarrior was faster thanMacintosh Programmer's Workshop (MPW), the development tools written by Apple."- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CodeWarrior

 "Today, Java not only permeates the Internet, but also is the invisible force behind many of the applications and devices that power our day-to-day lives. From mobile phones to handheld devices, games and navigation systems to e-business solutions, Java is everywhere!"

-http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/javahistory-index-198355.html

2) http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/javahistory-timeline-198369.html

http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/games/gdc2004.html