gaarder@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu (Steve Gaarder) (01/16/90)
I have just inherited a large piece of Forth code, last touched years ago, which I get to modify and update, and I'm looking for advice on tools. The code runs in ROM on a Z80 and compiles under the Nautilus Systems cross-compiler running on CP/M. This is a wretched development environment, since the target code is headerless and lacks an interpreter, and compiles are very slow. The code is some 28k when compiled this way, and there isn't much room for more code. What I want to do is upgrade the development environment and allow for more code space. I have the following questions: The easiest change is to host the compiler on MSDOS. Is Nautilus systems still around? Anyone know where? Failing that, does someone have a copy of this compiler? Does anyone know of any cross/meta compilers that can compile this code without too many changes, perhaps on a more powerful target CPU? Is there a host-target development environment available that lets you run code on the target interactively? Being able to significantly increase the code size would make development easier, since I could leave the headers in. The problem is the 64k boundary. I may be able to upgrade the CPU at least to one of the enhanced z80s (eg Z800) which can handle more than 64k. Are there any 16-bit Forths out there that can handle more than 64k of memory, or do I need to go with a 32-bit Forth? All ideas appreciated. Thanks, Steve Gaarder gaarder@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu ...!cornell!batcomputer!gaarder