16 Apr
2011
16 Apr
'11
12:48 p.m.
On 4/16/11 3:41 PM, Chuck Guzis wrote:
I've lost the original thread on this, but ISTR
that the subject
thread wasn't terribly relevant.
I was thinking about Fred's statement quoting the business about
"nobody programs today, nor ever will program" in assembly again.
To a certain extent, save for a few exceptions (embedded, low-cost
devices, special purpose-built hardware, etc.) I think it's probably
true.
Those applications are widespread; there are considerably more
embedded computers in the world than non-embedded. Further, compiler
writers need to know what their software is supposed to spit out. I'd
not worry too much about it...People don't much write *application*
software in assembler anymore, they haven't in a very long time, but who
cares?
Consider: When was the last HP-16C calculator sold?
Why did HP quit
selling it, but still sells the HP-12C financial calculator to this
day? It would seem that if there were really a market, the 12C
chassis could be reprogrammed to continue the 16C line. But it's not-
-because few need to sit over a dump and work out what went wrong.
Because nobody works at that level any longer; it would not be a
profitable product for HP.
I can remember when our department at work got ONE TI SR-22
calculator and how much easier it made calculating those 48-bit
addresses and converting between bit, byte, halfword and word
addresses.
As much as I hate to admit it, the quote from Fred is probably closer
to the truth than I'd care to admit.
FWIW, I use my 16C practically every day. But I'm old.
There's one simple reason why HP 16C calculators fetch many hundreds
of dollars on eBay today, every single time: they're still in demand.
HP seems to enjoy discontinuing products while there's still demand.
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Port Charlotte, FL