Of Significance. Modula-2 for Z80s is here, specifically Turbo Modula-2 by
Borland International. Brought to you paradoxically by Echelon, the company
that pushes advanced operating systems and assembly-language programming using
relocatable SYSLIB, Z3LIB, VLIB, GRWLIB, and GRXLIB libraries--why? Well,
because...
Modula-2 is needed. Realizing short comings of his Pascal, author
Niklaus Wirth, Professor from Technical University of Zurich, Switzerland,
created Modula-2. And Borland has taken Professor Wirth's present work and
performed same magic on it as they did on his earlier Pascal, now standard of
the industry. The result, an easy-to-use computer environment for writing
programs with a structured high-level language. Turbo Modula-2 is needed for
situations where mathematics, portability, program maintenance, ease and
quickness of writing code are first priorities. (Z-News 504-1 has benchmarks
of beta-test Turbo Modula-2 against C-Language compiler and Assembler
competitors). And with little extra effort, Modula-2 produces fast,
competitive code. We won't argue with that!
Kernel and primitives of Micromint's SB180/SB180FX graphics co-board, the
GT180, Z-News 506-1, using much-lauded Hitachi HD63484 chip, are written in
Turbo Modula-2. Combination produces graphics quality (resolution of up to
720 by 500 pixels and color palette of 4096) beyond Apple II, Macintosh,
Atari, Commodore, and IBM PC capabilities. Wow! Eight-bit Z-Systems rule!
See Steve Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar in Nov. and Dec. 1986 BYTE magazine. And
please don't miss Echelon's ads in these two issues.
For $69.95, plus $6.00 shipping and handling in USA (actual cost
elsewhere), here is what you receive:
o Installation Program o Turbo Modula-2 Menu Shell
o Turbo Modula-2 Compiler and Linker o Library Manager for Modules
o Full-screen WordStar-like Text Editor, Interactive with Compiler
o Ready-To-Use Module Library with more than 100 Routines
o Z80 Native Code Generator, for Stand-alone Programs
o Utility to Use and Manipulate Microsoft REL Files
o Utility to Analyze Program Performance (Profiler)
o Bound, 552-page Manual with 16-page Index
Turbo Modula-2 has these features:
o Instant invocation of editor when compiler detects programming errors.
You can quickly correct mistake, and compiler resumes where it left off.
o Very fast compilation utilizing but one pass.
o Extensive function library--14 modules incorporating over 100 procedures.
Standard Modula-2 modules such as InOut are available, in addition to
single (6 digits) and double precision (14 digits) math, command line
access and manipulation, input/output redirection, and much more. You
may also add your own extensions or replace existing modules as you see
fit.
o Programs can be organized with overlays permitting code size to exceed
memory.
o Generates Z80 native code using an optional second pass of the compiler,
stand-alone executable programs.
o Bit manipulation and sets (for Assembly- and C-Language hackers).
o Easy inclusion of Assembly Language routines in binary form, or in
relocatable (REL) form. Turbo Modula-2 can search REL libraries and
include only routines of interest. (Routines from SYSLIB, Z3LIB, etc.,
are all accessible.)
o Extensions to Modula-2 include comfortable generalized READ and WRITE
statements (like Turbo Pascal), string comparison and assignment, multi-
dimensional open arrays, and exception handling to control the program in
case of errors.
o The compiler optionally flags non-standard statements to ensure portabil-
ity to other Modula-2 environments. Programs written with Turbo Modula-2
are portable to other computing environments.
And now, Turbo Modula-2 compared to Turbo Pascal:
1. Turbo Modula-2 has separate compilation. Only changed modules need
be recompiled whenever changes are made in supporting or dependent
modules. Such a feature is especially important on large projects,
where under Turbo Pascal, even the smallest change required recompi-
lation of the entire project. Unlike some other languages that allow
separate compilation, Modula-2 still performs full type and version
checking between modules.
2. The library facilities of Turbo Modula-2 allow a full and extensible
set of primitives, which are not included in the final program unless
specifically requested by the programmer. Thus, programs can be
optimized for size even though hundreds of library functions may exist.
3. Turbo Modula-2 includes support for co-routines (multiprocessing)
and interrupt handlers.
4. Existing Turbo Pascal programs can be easily converted to Turbo
Modula-2.
5. Turbo Modula-2 uses same Terminal definition database as Turbo
Pascal.
6. Turbo Modula-2 possesses additional numeric types: unsigned integers
(CARDINAL), long integers (LONGINT), and long reals (LONGREAL). These
allow greater precision and flexibility in mathematical calculations
and data handling.
Turbo Modula-2 is Borland's practical implementation of Modula-2. It
follows closely the definition of standard Modula-2 as defined in Professor
Wirth's book, Programming in Modula-2 (3rd Edition, New York: Springer Verlag,
1984). It differs from Modula-2 in two main areas: it has an easy-to-use I/O
library, and optional extensions based on the professor's suggestions, e.g.,
general-purpose READ and WRITE statements, string comparison and assignment,
multi-dimensional open arrays, and exception handling.
And more good news: shipping date for Turbo Modula-2 package is 5
December 1986. Place your order now for early delivery.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
String Searching, Continued. Here, deep into alpha/beta testing of Bridger
Mitchell's pattern- and string-searching utility, tentatively called ZGREP.
Remember in Z-News 602 we said we would be a test site only if program was
faster than FIND54. Well, it is! And the most surprising thing is its
options and their affect on search-and-find speed.
ZGREP is command-line- and menu-driven, defaults can be cloned, 12 search
modes, understands drive/user areas, named directories, and ZCPR3 error flag,
for an extremely flexible user interface.
But first, a little testing background. For our "standard" method, we
use VCED shell for comparing command-line driven search programs, i.e., all
the assembly-language, plus SIFT and SEARCH C-language, programs. (Z-News
505-1, 506-1, and 509-3.) Shell quickly permits re-running tests to get
averages. VCED, with command-line recall, makes such re-runs convenient,
precise, and elegant. But it adds 1.5 seconds or more of overhead to bench-
mark measurements. Therefore, in our comparisons of ZGREP and FIND54 we went
directly to the Z-System command line prompt, eliminating shell re-load time.
FIND54 benchmarks, from command line, are reduced to 7.94 and 13.92
seconds, for Ampro Z80 65ms-hard disk and 3ms-floppy, respectively. (Our
benchmark consists of 2 files, each 16k-bytes long, with identical 15-
character string to-find near end of each file.) Under the same hardware and
test conditions ZGREP measured 7.66 and 13.74 seconds, respectively. ZGREP is
extremely fast if search options are set for simply finding matches and show-
ing found-lines on screen, 4.29 and 8.34 seconds. ZGREP's speed truly shows
when using complex file-search list with search-string not found in most
files, typical search-and-find needs here at Echelon. For example, searching
18 files of 376k-bytes total, with search-string found in only one file, takes
but 46.20 seconds (FIND54 takes 86.18 seconds) on our HD Ampro Bookshelf
computer. (Such times must be near limit of rotary disk data transfer, forget
string search.) Bridger has come up with some fast algorithms that 1) reduce
effects of latency of slow rotating machinery and 2) speed finding both simple
and complex strings, Unix "regular expression" style. Our test version of
ZGREP (v0.14) is in same sophistication league as Electra-Find (Z-News 506-1)
but is up to six times faster. Bravo, Bridger! Soon, we will tell how to
acquire ZGREP program, as it exits beta testing.
From Our Mail Box. "...and discovered that my subscription has expired.
Horrors! Therefore, I am enclosing a check for $40.00 to cover a new sub-
scription for Z-News plus any issues I have missed...monies left over should
be enough for at least one bottle of Zinfandel or whatever might be needed to
assist your terrific company." Peter Cutler, Hershey, PA, gives us a piece of
his mind, and his pocket book. Thanks, we needed that.
We regularly receive letters from people calling themselves computer
users who declare they do not have the time to learn how to use Z-System
because our documentation is "convoluted," even Z-System User's Guide. Most
letters are from formal "educated" people, i.e., college graduates, teachers,
and professors. From what they tell us, they want to quickly understand how
our utilities can speed the tasks they use their computers for. And, coinci-
dentally, they are so busy they can't spend time "re-inventing wheels" to
figure out the things they need to know. To this we say, think of the manual
that would allow an Australian native to quickly know what is needed to drive
and control the features of a modern automobile, say, for example, a 1986
Honda Accord SEi. A common denominator is noticed among "users." They
believe they already know a lot because of their education and schooling, and
it seems it is beneath them to study, really study, what it takes to learn
something really new. Minds are crystallized. New things, it is thought,
should fall into expectations of their knowledge and understanding. So many
are so anxious that even "spoon feeding" doesn't work--they are too "busy"
with their day-to-day activities. Their egos stand in way of BEING, of becom-
ing more than they presently are. But intellectual knowledge has little or
nothing to do with knowing how to use something. It has taken 3 to 5 generat-
ions for us to "instinctively" know how to use automobiles and telephones.
And computers offer orders of magnitude more possibilities than these. Where
does instinct come from? From genes, from use, doing, and observation. It's
race heritage, habits built into low-level structures of being! Soon, say in
forty years, computer usage will be in our genes. But it only comes through
work or one form or another: study and do, do and study (study, read 7-times,
Z-News 302-3).
After reading something you feel you don't understand: relax, wait a bit.
Then, identify the words that cause you trouble, that are stumbling blocks.
Look these words up in a reference dictionary and see if meaning occurs. If
not, a background book on the general subject is indicated. Read it. Short
cuts to learning are few, but learning is continuous if you have an attitude
that says, "It's up to me. I can do it with materials available to me,
materials at hand. I shall not complain. It is up to me." Now, what is your
business? ...you know ours from Z-News 009-7, dated 12 November 1984.
Z-Node Activity. Though not a Z-Node, Larry Herring, The Micro Store,
Richardson, TX, runs a super RAS, 214/350-9580. Larry is a dealer of Z-System
software from a store front, and has most of Echelon's utilities online from
his RAS. Give him your support, especially if in northern Texas. His and
partner's, Tamara Watson, voice phone is 214/231-1096, at the store. Z-News
401-3 has more on The Micro Store.
Z-User's Corner. Not much has been said about ZLUX shell, John Poplett's
extended library utility, probably because it has found use mainly on Z-Nodes
and RASs, not by mainstream Z-System users. Now Terry Carroll of Bedford, TX,
The Poor Man's Z-Node (#56), 817/283-9167, takes this shell and applies it,
using abundant free-thinking and creativity, to general library file manage-
ment status. His program, ZLBR, demonstrates flexible use of a shell to gain
quick access to LGET, LLF, and NULU library utilities, as well as other more
general commands. From within the shell, you can view files on any directory,
library or straight, squeezed or crunched. Add, delete, replace, "krunch,"
extract files from libraries. Any straight command may be run as if at Z-
System prompt. (We use VFILER from within ZLBR and vise versa.) A screen-of-
help is available after entering program using usual "?" or "/" character
followed by <cr>. Command-line syntax is:
lbr [du/dir:]libname<cr>
We renamed ZLBR to LBR, as most users of ZLUX have renamed ZLUX to LUX.
Certainly, both RAS and non-RAS operators will find ZLBR useful.
ZLBR is a supertool, in the VFILER vein, one that has extreme flexibi-
lity. (Aliases GLF and TLF are examples of single-purpose tools.) Version
1.0a requires you have TYPELZ online along command search path, while v1.0
requires TYPELZ be renamed to TYPE. Latter causes trouble for those who have
TYPE as a resident command, RCP or intrinsic, and either do not wish to or
cannot conveniently change or remove it. Version 1.0a assembles with ZAS,
without change, and source is formatted Z-System Standard.
A final comment. Terry takes ZLUX and makes it into something else,
giving this something-else another name, ZLBR. At the same time, he gives
original author full credit for contributions he (John Poplett) has made. We
commend these actions to others who enhance a tool beyond original author's
scope. We say again, let's have more programs, more tools, more utilities,
but let's not give up single-purpose tools, simple tools. Turning them, these
simple tools, into supertools--we don't want that. Use Z-System facilities to
connect tools to tools and tools to applications.
Z-News Renewal Policy. Six-months free subscription with first $44.00 or
more worth of software purchased--that is our policy! The six months gratuity
"gets you started." After that, $24.00 per year delivers Z-News to your mail
box every fortnight.
Lunch Break. Builders will be interested in Part Two of series running in
Computer Smyth magazine, Vol.2/No.3. pages 39 to 45. Full description of how
to install Ampro's Little Board/Plus and floppy drives into an Integrand
enclosure, all reported. (More on CS magazine in Z-News 509.) From
configuring the drives, Shugart and Matsushita 5-1/4 inchers in this case,
installing cables, mounting the computer board, it's all there. Some details
on ZCPR3 software supplied by Ampro are also included. Editor Edward Dell
writing of tree-like ZCPR3 named directories, "...believe me they are
infinitely easier to use than those under PC DOS 3.1." Computer Symth is only
$15.00 per year, four issues. Use your credit card, call 603/924-9464.
Gary Kildall, "inventor of CP/M" and founder of DRI, has replaced John
Rowley as President and CEO of Digital Research, Inc. John did what could be
done with what he had as resources, considering market place; but it wasn't
enough for venture capitalists. Gary likely will do worse than John, mark our
words...situation of non-technical people forcing technical decisions. Woe
is
us...
Compaq, the Dallas, TX, IBM PC clone maker, comes out with 80386 chip-
based desktop computer, DESKPRO 386, and sets 386 standards. Kaypro, Solana
Beach, CA, joins-in with "totally" compatible 386 machine of their own. After
taking control of microcomputer market created by little guys, IBM loses it.
IBM lose control of PC market? Yes, IBM has lost control...trying to protect
their minicomputers and mainframes.
MicroPro International (San Rafael, CA), the WordStar people, purchases
Newstar Software company (Pleasant Hills, CA) along with Newword wordprocessor
programs. Principals Stanley Reynolds, Walter Feigenson, and Peter Mireau of
Newstar have joined MicroPro in yet-to-be-disclosed positions. From what we
hear, MicroPro so liked Version 2 and 3 enhancements of Newword, they bought
the company that produced them. We further understand a new version of
WordStar is to be released by June 1987. Hopefully, MicroPro does not forget
us Z-System and CP/M-compatible computer users. If anyone can upgrade
WordStar, Peter Mireau can. Write Mr. Leon Williams, MicroPro's President and
CEO, if you want WordStar v4.0 to run on Z-System Z80 and HD64180 computers.
His address: 33 San Pablo Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94903, telephone 415/499-
1200.
Fujitsu Ltd. of Japan, buying 80% of Fairchild Semiconductor of USA from
Schlumberger Ltd. of France, rattles U.S. chip industry. With value of
Japanese yen so high, expect many more such buy-outs. We are in an inter-
national, global market finally. One Earth, one people. Fujitsu's action is
not predatory, but simply a good business move to strengthen their
corporation. Remember, Fairchild is the company that invented the integrated
circuit, spawned 100 companies creating Silicon Valley, with help from
Stanford University graduates. U.S. government, its slothfulness and
bureaucracy, and our tax laws promote general decline in American industrial
power. History is not on our side!
Using perpendicular (vertical) recording technique, Maxell Corp. of
America produces 5-1/4 inch cartridge floppy with five times more data density
than present Winchester hard disk systems. They also produce, in conjunction
with their floppy media, a companion read-write head. Head is a product of
parent Hitachi Ltd. of Japan and can handle up to 100,000 bits per inch.
Using imbedded servo technique of Kodak (Z-News 309-4, 404-3, 502-1), 100
megabytes are placed on one removable diskette, giving optical disks a run for
the money. We are guessing Hitachi is first to offer a packaged drive for OEM
use. Here is competition for Kodak's SCSI-interfaced 10-megabyte cartridge
floppy, which is now shipping. Our SemiDisk DT42 computer, already using a
3.3 megabyte Kodak, is ready for a perpendicular drive, now!
====================================================================
Of Angels and Eagles. One's condition of birth does not necessarily dictate
one's fate. We have a long way to go--many plays we have not yet acted in.
We north Americans seem to think our fate is fixed to our heritage, to our
culture, to our background. Of all these influences, and that's all they are,
influences, our minds control what we do and what we are. What we are is our
fate! What we do is what we are! Rise up and break the chain, the Catch-22
situation, and become more than we presently are. We are at the cross-roads,
and where the road leads is up to each of us.
An immediate change is brought about by dropping prevalent attitude, of
"them versus us." We are cosmic travelers on planet Earth, co-inhabitants
with all life, biological and non-. Think, then work to create something of
lasting value.
Our biggest problem seems to come from thinking we are forced to do what
we don't like to do. How we make our living is the main culprit. Why there
is so many hobbies is because we don't like our jobs. Make your job your
hobby and you HAVE IT MADE.
Doing what we like is freedom, entertainment. Liking what we do is
happiness, fulfillment. But, doing what we don't like on a regular basis is
slavery, en-chain-ment.
Extreme individual productivity comes from enjoying what is being done.
This, group America needs, can use, at all levels, from top management,
through engineering, manufacturing, to floor sweeper. So, find a way to make
a living that is fun. See you down the lines...
Echelon, Inc. 885 N. San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022 USA
Telephone: 415/948-3820 TELEX: 4931646 Z-Node Central (RAS): 415/489-9005
Trademarks: Little Board, Bookshelf, Ampro Computers; SB180/SB180FX, GT180,
Micromint; PRO-180, Magnum Digital; ON!, Oneac; DT42, The SemiDisk, Deep
Thought 42, SemiDisk Systems; TR-XL180, M.A.N. Systems; Macintosh, Apple
Computers; HD63484/64180, Hitachi; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-Tools, Zas,
Zlink, Z-Msg, Term3, Quick-Task, FINDS, PPAL, Lasting-Value Software, Echelon;
Unix, AT&T Bell Laboratories; Turbo Pascal, Turbo Modula-2, Borland
International; Electra-Find, O'Neill Software; WordStar, MicroPro.
* *
Z sets you FREE!
* *
Z-News 604 is Copyright 1986 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
s Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
