josephc@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Simplelogic) (02/23/91)
Well, like I said, I was going to get the copy of Paradigm locate in the mail (well, UPS Blue, anyways...). Just to refresh the memories: Paradigm LOCATE is a product advertised as a way to transform Turbo C/C++/ASM and Microsoft C/ASM output in such a way that it can then be used with in-circuit emulators, be burned in EPROM, or (with a companion product TDREM) downloaded via Turbo Debugger into a target host. When I first opened the package, I was a bit disappointed by the meager looking documentation. At only 100 pages, it barely fills the "IBM" style manual binder that it comes in --- sort of a "withdrawl symptom" from the MSC 5.1 manuals, if you know what I mean... :-) After looking over the manual, though, I was fairly well satisfied. The documentation is straightforward, and concise for the most part. The manual describes a sample conversion session which illustrates the key points of the product, and provides explanations on how the configuration file is used. There are also an alphabetical 'one-keyword-one-page' listing of the control directives, a listing of the command-line options, and the warnings/error listings. For those working in C, the LOCATE package comes with a suitable replacement for the start-up code, and provides the user with a few 'library' routines to replace some of DOS-provided routines (memory allocation, and program termination, for example). The LOCATE start-up provides a means to hook-in the TDREM debugging kernel. It also handles such details as creating the program's stack space and initializing variables by copying data from the ROM space into RAM. The conversion process involves severals steps. First, the start-up code and the user program must be compiled/assembled and linked together. Next, the configuration file which specifies the target-system details must be created. The two files are then processed via the 'locate' program which will use the object code, the configuration file, and the object-map file to remap the program to appropriate locations in the target-system's memory space. This multi-step process, however, is automated through the use of the MAKE facilities of the respective compilers. The conversion process is quick, and the resulting output file can be in the format of the Intel OMF86 (used by in-circuit-emulators) or an Absolute Executable code (basically a .EXE with absolute addressing), and in an EPROM file (Intel 86, Intel80, Tektroix Hex, or straight binary). The process of assembling, linking, and converting (using Turbo Assembler) is very fast, especially in comparison to the assembler/linker/locater combination of the genuine-Intel ASM-286 product. (This is a subjective quantification, but there is a BIG speed improvement - feels like 4:1, at least...) Except for one minor problem, I was able to assemble/link/locate my current project (which has been developed on the Intel platform) using the Turbo/LOCATE combination with virtually no modification to the source code. The 'problem' resulted from the default start-up file's creation of stack space that resulted in an overgrown stack area. By removing the stack definition in the start-up, the desired results was achieved. I have yet to play with the TDREM which is the companion product to LOCATE. It allows developers to debug their product using Borland Turbo Debugger's Remote-Debugging feature. Unlike LOCATE, it is not quite as 'ready to run', as the code must be user-modified to fit the target environment. TDREM requires 5K of Eprom and 2K or RAM space as well as a UART (serial interface) in order to work. (This part will be reviewed later, as I have time) Paragim LOCATE - $395, TDREM - $195. 25% discount to Universities. HUGE discount to a starving student (well, at least that's what they seem to suggest). Evaluation package of LOCATE is also avaiable for $50. Any questions? Feel free to write me at the address below. Standard Disclaimer: I don't get anything out of this. Just a satisfied customer. -- Joseph I. Chiu, Department of Computer Science, Calif. Inst. of Technology 1-57 Fleming House, Caltech, Pasadena 91126. (818) 585-0393 josephc@coil.caltech.edu ...Just another lost soul in the universe