the large file challenge

[Yates, Glen]

> Here's the latest round of times
> 
> 
> bash 1:44
> pascal 2:04
> C 2:28
> MC 2:10
> 
> goodness, C is slowest of all?!?

Actually, this says more about your specific implementation of the algorithm
and/or the quality of your compiler than it does about the relative speed
merits of any given language. As in your bash example, the bash shell
actually calls functions from libraries of well written highly optimized C
code. So, all things being equal, straight C code could never be slower than
a bash shell script.

MC, as well, is also coded in C, so in many interpreted languages (bash,
perl, MC) while the script itself is interpreted, much of the real work is
done by compiled code.

-Glen Yates