Megamax C

Megamax C is a K&R C-based development system originally written for the Mac and ported to the Atari ST and Apple IIGS computers. Sold by Megamax, Inc., based in Richardson, Texas, the package includes a one-pass compiler, linker, text editor, resource construction kit, and documentation. Megamax C was written by Michael Bunnell with Eric Parker providing the linker and most of the standard library.{{cn|date=March 2016}} A circa-1988 version of the compiler was renamed Laser C, while the company remained Megamax.{{cite journal|last1=Mihocka|first1=Darek|title=Review: Laser C (Megamax, Inc.)|journal=ST-Log|date=November 1988|issue=25|page=78|url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/st-log/issue25/78_1_LASER_C.php}}

In the early days of the Atari ST, Megamax C was the primary competitor to the Alcyon C compiler from Digital Research included in the official developer kit from Atari Corporation, and the documentation covers Atari-specific features. The company advertised that Megamax C could be used on a 520 ST with a single floppy drive. The ST version includes the executable and assets for Megaroids, a clone of the Asteroids video game, written by Mike Bunnell with sound effects by Mitch Bunnell.{{cite web|title=Megaroids|url=https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2016/02/1985.html|website=Atari Crypt|date=February 2, 2016}}

File:MegamaxC.png

Technical details

On both the Atari ST and Macintosh, the size of a compiled module is limited to 32K of code, and arrays have the same 32K restriction. The limitation stems from a requirement on the Macintosh which was carried over to the Atari. This is despite the Motorola 68000 CPU in both machines having a 24-bit address range.

Reception

According to a review of the Atari ST version in Antic by Mike Fleishman, Megamax C compiled a small benchmark program six times faster than Digital Research's compiler.{{cite journal|last1=Fleishman|first1=Mike|title=Megamax C Review|journal=Antic|date=September 1986|volume=5|issue=5|url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/v5n5/megamaxc.html}} In a comparison of C compilers for the Atari ST, STart magazine wrote, "For a development compiler, Megamax C is, without question, the best available on the Atari. It will reduce your compile/test turn-around time by at least a factor of five." They also pointed out that the $200 price may be steep for hobbyists and students.

The compiler was used for development by Batteries Included and FTL Games.{{cite web|title=Megamax C print ad|url=http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-st-megamax-c_28351.html|website=Atari Mania}}

References

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{{cite journal|last1=Anders|first1=Arick|last2=Bendio|first2=Michael|title=Which C for Me?|journal=STart|date=1986|volume=1|issue=2|url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/startv1n2/WhichC.html}}

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Category:C (programming language) compilers

Category:Atari ST software

Category:Classic Mac OS software