ebs@tymix.UUCP (Elliot Schneider) (04/05/84)
In response to the query on other languages for the Commodore 64- There
are several versions of the FORTH language available on the C64. FORTH's
in general are considered to be fairly portable between machines as long
as you stick to a particular set of Kernel words (such as FORTH 79
Standard).
I have implemented a FORTH development system on the C64 which is being
marketed under the modest name SUPER FORTH 64, in reference to its being
a superset of the FORTH 79 Kernel with lots of extensions for the C64
in the way of I/O, high memory access, graphics (incl. sprite editor) and
sound (incl. a music editor).
I have to admit to being somewhat prejudiced towards this
version since I wrote it, but since it is new I thought I would at least
let netland know of its existence. It is oriented both towards beginners
to let them fully utilize the C64 and development programmers looking for
a system which will enable them to write programs quickly for marketing
purposes.
The manual is 250 pages of reference material, examples, tutorial information
and lists of source screens provided with the system (I provide source for
most of my extensions) enclosed in a three ring binder. We recommend
STARTING FORTH by Leo Brodie for total beginners in FORTH. The examples
in STARTING FORTH will run on the SUPER FORTH 64 system. We provide free
bug updates if any bugs are found.
Since disk access was mentioned, I store a screen on 4 sectors using direct
sector I/O. This means that accesses are somewhat faster (although with
the 1541 NOTHING is fast) and 170 screens can be stored on a single
diskette.
Questions can either be directed to me on the net, or call my
distributor for a sheet which describes the features of the system:
PARSEC RESEARCH
P.O. Drawer 1766
Fremont, CA 94538
415-651-3160
SUPER FORTH 64 retails for $96. PARSEC has a list of the retail stores which
are carrying it (the list grows daily) if you prefer dealing with a retail
store.
Elliot Schneider
ucbvax!hplabs!oliveb!tymix!ebs