HACKER Q&A
📣 vanilla-almond

Using a commercial language/compiler? What are your reasons?


In the 1990s, commercial compilers dominated the programming scene. Today, it feels like the opposite: open-source programming languages dominate the scene (or at least they dominate discussions on Hacker News).

Some random examples of commerical compilers:

PureBasic: Build compiled, cross-platform desktop GUI apps for Windows, Mac and Linux using a modern dialect of BASIC. All for the cheap price of $79

Ada: GNAT Pro: For building commerical Ada software (not GPL programs); the price is not listed on the AdaCore website which probably means very expensive ("request pricing").

Delphi: It's still alive and rich in functionality, but now mainly targeted at enterprises ($3000 for enterprise edition)

If you are using a commercial compiler, what are your reasons for using the compiler/language?

Is it because:

- the commercial compiler/language is faster than non-commerical equivalents?

- the commercial compiler has features or libraries not found in open-source versions?

- the commercial compiler provides professional support?

- the commercial compiler gives you a competitive edge to building software products (e.g. faster to construct)

- the commercial compiler is tailored to your specific field or industry sector?

- the commerical compiler provides you with comprehensive help or documentation?


  👤 ggm Accepted Answer ✓
Haven't seen him for a while, but a mate was a commercial C compiler writer. GNU destroyed his business. Gone by 1990.

They all folded, except the one Intel backed.