Meadowlark: Sheffield based computer consultancy

Software tools we use:

The C programming language

C is a compiled middle level programming language, that despite its quirks, has been pressed into service in delivering the broadest range of applications, from operating systems to gui applications, and embedded controllers. Despite being a small language with a limited number of reserved words, it is hard to master for various reasons. A forth programmer once claimed it was like a cut throat razor with a sharp edge on both sides of the blade. At meadowlark, we resort to the c programming language when it is the most appropriate choice, and that is not often. the reasons it can prove so hard to master are as follows:

• There is no dynamic garbage collection. For this reason the programmer must explicitly free memory used by the application when convenient.
• There is no bounds checking on arrays for example. This can easily result in a pointer referencing or writing to a memory location of another program with potentially disastrous consequences.
• C programmers must be prepared to indulge the idiosynchracies of the language that will prove a stumbling block to the unwary. Just because a C program compiles and sems to run does not mean that under the hood the program is behaving exactly as planned.

The advantages of the C programming language

• C programs are compiled, and therefore run quickly.
• C programmers can use pointers which provides great control over the hardware upon which the program runs.
• There is a great deal written, and understood about the c programming language.

The disadvantages of the C programming language

• C programs can be prone to memory management problems.
• C programmers can use memory pointers which - in the wrong hands - can wreak havoc on an otherwise stable computer systems.
• It is perhaps easier to write a bad c program than a bad Delphi program.

What you can expect from computer hardware in the future?

1. Smaller faster, cheaper, lighter computers for the desktop.  They will be no larger than a DVD drive.  They will be silent, and run free software, and much of this will be web based.  They will use solid state disks, and large quantities of cheap memory.

2. More powerful mobile phones will largely replace traditional PCs.  The screens of mobiles will occupy as much of the phone as physicallly possible.  "Soft buttons will have largely replaced mechanical buttons in top of the range phones.

3. Sophisticated screen display technology will be available that will allow us to use bigger computer monitors in smaller less likely workplaces.

4. Micro-factories: places of work no bigger than a loft extension, where budding entrepreneurs labour in their free time "printing" products with 3D printers and selling their wares by the internet.