mdavis@pro-sol.cts.com (Morgan Davis) (02/01/90)
NEWS RELEASE:
MORGAN DAVIS GROUP ANNOUNCES MD-BASIC
SAN DIEGO, CA., JANUARY 30, 1990 -- The Morgan Davis Group has
introduced MD-BASIC, a new development tool for Apple IIGS BASIC
programmers. Though it is called a compiler for the sake of brevity,
MD-BASIC is actually a translation tool. It takes a program listing
(source code), and turns it into an Applesoft BASIC program. You can LIST
and RUN the resulting program just like any other Applesoft garden variety.
The advantage of using MD-BASIC is that it allows the programmer to create
programs in a structured BASIC language environment without making existing
tools for Applesoft BASIC obsolete.
MD-BASIC includes these and other features:
o Structured format. MD-BASIC gives programmers a completely new
format for BASIC programming, one that is more readable than Applesoft.
Programmers can concentrate on that problem or algorithm, rather than
fighting immediate mode drawbacks.
o Compiler. The MD-BASIC compiler includes all the powerful features
found in a robust C compiler, such as conditional compilation, nested
#include files, symbol definitions and code macros with argument passing,
and more.
o Full text editing. Manage program listings with a text editor or
word processor--no "escape key editing" nor global line-mode editors.
o Variables and labels. MD-BASIC supports long variable names making
programs more self-documenting. Reference points in a program with
descriptive labels, such as GOTO The_Main_Menu, or GOSUB PrintReport. Line
numbers are not used.
o Comments. Program source code can be thoroughly documented without
bloating the resulting Applesoft programs with extra baggage.
o Easily maintainable. MD-BASIC programs are easy to maintain, even
after years have passed by since they can be heavily documented.
o New commands. Nested IF-THEN-ELSE, REPEAT-UNTIL and WHILE-WEND
constructs provide indispensable features not found in Applesoft.
o Tight code. An optimization feature lets programmers create
compact applications for Applesoft. Programs written with MD-BASIC are
smaller and run faster than most Applesoft programs.
o Applesoft DeCompiler. The MD-BASIC disk includes a useful
decompiler that converts existing BASIC program files into MD-BASIC source
files for further refinement.
o Added value. MD-BASIC comes with AmperWorks, a set of added
commands written in 6502 assembly, accessed via the ampersand feature of
Applesoft, to make BASIC programs even more powerful. The disk also comes
with sample programs, installation software, and interface files for the
Apple II ROM, memory, I/O, and ProDOS interfaces.
Since MD-BASIC produces regular Applesoft programs, they are compatible
with any enhancement that Applesoft can use, such as ampersand packages.
MD-BASIC programs can even be run through an Applesoft-to-machine-code
compiler.
MD-BASIC programmers need an Apple IIGS, GS/OS, and a development shell
such as the Apple Programmer's Workshop (APW) or the ORCA/M shell from Byte
Works, Inc.
MD-BASIC is available now for $49.95 suggested retail.
CONTACT:
Morgan Davis Group 10079 Nuerto, Rancho San Diego, California 92078-1736
619/670-0563 * FAX: 619/670-9643 * BBS: 619/670-5379
APW is available only to members through Apple Programmers and Developers
Association.
ORCA/M is a product of Byte Works, Inc., 4700 Irving Blvd. NW, Suite 207,
Albuquerque, NM, 87114.
### End of Release ###
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