Heaven Forbid. We are asked to recommend high level languages (HLLs) for
application program development under Z-System. We reply, if you must use an
HLL (instead of SYSLIB3, Z3LIB, and VLIB), these are best used:
C Language Compilers
BDS C BD Software, Inc. Fastest Execution
P.O. Box 2368, Cambridge, MA 02238 Good Code Density
617/576-3828 Non-Unix C
C/80 Software Toolworks Best Code Density
15233 Ventura Blvd. #1118 Good Speed
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, 818/986-4885 Non-Unix C
Aztec C II Manx Software Unix C Compatibility
P.O. Box 55, Shrewsbury, NJ 07701 Fair Speed
201/530-7997 Fair Code Density
Pascal Compiler
Turbo Pascal Borland International High Overall Value
4585 Scotts Valley Drive Interactive Structured
Scotts Valley, CA 95066 Program Development
800/255-8008 to order Neither Fast nor Dense
800/556-2283 for nearest dealer New Pascal Standard
Z TIPS. There's over a million ways (literally) to configure and assemble
ZCPR3! Standard ZCPR3 implementation (which we use here at EI) contains only
SAVE, GO, GET, and JUMP as intrinsic CP (command processor) commands; other
resident (in-memory) commands TYPE, LIST, ERA, REN, C(o)P(y), POKE, P(eek),
ECHO, IF, ELSE, FI (endif) are in dynamically loadable RCPs and FCPs. Normal-
ly, DIR is a transient, i.e., from disk. CCP (console command processor, CP
for short) occupies fixed 2k-bytes; but resident packages, each of 2k-bytes,
can be loaded when functional requirements demand different commands, e.g.,
DEBUG.RCP (MU3 as segment) for debugging programs versus more common SYS.RCP.
A sysop's RCP is different from RCP loaded for public callers.
Of Cabbages and Kings. Harvest being in barn, November is season of
thanksgiving in USA culture. We wish here to reflect on things for which we
are grateful. Our life with continuous good health is one; but mainly we
focus on you, especially you who are learning while supporting what we do. By
name, Marvin Eyre, Dennis Wright, Dave McCord, Kathy Stough, Patrick
O'Connell, Robert Doolittle, Al Hawley, Jay Sage, Al Dunsmuir, Charles
McMannis, Robert Peddicord, Richard Mead, and Bruce Aschenbrenner.
And Dreas Nielsen, Bruce Morgen, Ted Silveira, Paul Pomerleau, Tim
Linehan, Robert Tate, Rea Williams, Doug Thom, Norman Beeler, Norm Gregory,
Marilyn Bailey, Richard Jacobson, Terry Smythe, Ed Unrein, Charles Hoffman,
Michael Ward, Jud Newell, Armon Tippitt, and finally, Richard Conn.
More could be added, but these few we consciously believe have made
possible what we do. Those others get our thanks nonetheless, those workers
who do in silence without notice. We know they need not their names listed
here. But without them, our species would have long ago perished. We applaud
our continued, but certainly uncertain, survival!
Some few WONDER where our drive, courage (?), enthusiasm, comes from.
WONDER no more...we work from natural forces...forces flowing through you,
from Eternity... forces beyond TIME and space, beyond Mother Earth, Father
Time of E.B. White's classic Charlotte's Web...forces of LAW, law which cannot
be broken but which regulates All...we were vague and general, now vivid and
particular because of your energy.
We Get Letters. " ...[disk format] standardization is indeed much needed for
8-bit world. However, no details on formats were given... " declares Mark
Sihlanick, Forest, VA. Sorry Mark, we are working on a standards document
now, to be published as soon as finished. Z-News 207 wanted to let everyone
know we were fostering a few disk formats we feel are best. Hardware
manufacturers designing new 8-bit computers should use existing formats, the
ones that are best for speed and capacity.
Dale Updegrove writes from Phoenixville, PA, "I find myself looking for
your latest Z-News before the two weeks are up...Echelon is more like a club
than a business...is interested in supplying more support rather than [in
making] more profit." Thanks! we needed that. Dale, our major short-term
task is getting you to regard Z-System as we do; profits come from
aspirations, attitude (see newsletter 009, pg 7, to know an aspect of our
business).
Z-Node Activity. A warm welcome to new Z-Node #44 and Sysop Robert Gear.
Bob's Phoenix, AZ, number is 602/279-2762 and is a first for us in Arizona.
He is interested in ham radio packet networks, as are other noders Bob Finch
and John D'Ausilio. Also, Bob's "Doktur's" node serves as central for
despending medical information.
Ed Unrein wants more non-local callers. His RAS in beautiful central
Florida is a wonderland in itself: 305/295-0844. If you can't travel there,
you still can telecommunicate (one-day, teleport!).
Amateur Z User's Corner. Logging into a directory may be done two ways. 1)
Default log-in occurs when performed from command line, and 2) current log-in
occurs when performed from within application programs; on returning to
command line, default disk/user area is returned to,
shows. Current can be made default by declaration,
e.g., in VFILER CMD scripts, command clause "%d%u:;"
makes current directory the default. While within
sketch of VFILER, default is shown when "Z" letter-command is
mad hatter with given and command line prompt shows at lower left of
quote: screen. Current always shows at upper left, either
from Files or built-in Help screens. Of course,
"And my current current and default simultaneously may be same
became directory.
default." When dealing with other than Z-System application
programs, determine if application uses current (most
don't) or only default directories. Then, write your
macro command lines accordingly.
Notice, in Z-News 305, bottom of pg 1, selective
use of current disk/user "%d" and "%u" and actual drive
letter ("a" therein) designation was required to freely
move from directory to directory from within VFILER, to
have WordStar and The WORD Plus function correctly.
When using with such application programs, advanced
features of Z-System are absolutely required for full
automation and resource-utilization efficiency. Unix
and PC-DOS do not have these features.
Technically, for you budding hackers, default directory is contained as
two nibbles at location 04 of Z-System Page 0, memory space 00 to FF hex.
Current is stored locally within ZRDOS buffer area.
Our shells with their powerful user interface have made concept of
current versus default important. Principle under vanilla CP/M was little
developed, not much thought of. Remember what user areas were like before
SWEEP--they were simply not used! SWEEP, DISK7 started the ball rolling for
FILER, VFILER, MENU, FRIENDLYtm, and VMENU. We now have better flexibility
than PC-DOS or Unix!
Recap: default (some call it home) directory is the one shown by
operating system prompt. Application programs and utilities may move from
default by internal command (log-in to new directory, called current) but
default is not changed, unless changed at command line prompt, or by
declaration in a macro command.
Z-System C O M M A N D S
Frequently used commands are briefly described here. Online HELP facility
gives full details of these and remaining commands. At Z command line,
immediate usage and syntax help is available (if information is appropriate)
by typing <command> //<cr>.
AC Archive Copy copies files from one location to another with
verification option, while setting file archive attribute. Only changed files
need be copied.
(V)ALIAS The (V)ALIAS utility is used to create an Alias file and to display
its contents. An Alias is essentially a text script, expanded and resolved
(with parameter passing) when the Alias program is run. Very complex command
lines, complete with Flow Control (IF), can be included within an Alias.
ARUNZ Extended command processor used to execute aliases within ALIAS.CMD
files.
CD CD permits going from one directory to another, simultaneously
running environmental file (ST.COM) to establish the desired conditions in a
directory. CD may require password to move to new directory.
CLEANDIR Removes de-allocated references to files in the disk directory track
area, sorts the existing files in ascending or descending alpha order and
packs the names together. Used often nearly guarantees successful UNERASE.
CMDRUN Default name for extended command processor used, e.g., to execute
COM files from COMMAND.LBR file.
COMMENT Once entered all text typed at keyboard is ignored by operating
system. Useful to output text to printer while not having the computer
attempt to act on it, and in local area networks (LANs). Special "COMMENT>"
prompt provided.
COMP Compare two files displaying byte-for-byte match and difference.
Split-screen display, showing match, differences, in both hex and ASCII, eases
comparison.
CPSEL Selects one of two consoles and one of four printers known to
system, and line and page length, and whether form-feeds are available. Used
by PAGE and PRINT.
CRC Runs a Cyclic Redundancy Check on specified files, optionally
creating a file of the values. Useful to make sure files are identical.
DIR Sorted default or declared directory files with sizes (lengths) and
disk space used and remaining are displayed on console with this command, by
file name or type. Displays directory name, if one, and PUBLIC files in
directories.
DFA Display file attributes: read-only, read-write, archive, wheel byte
write-protected, etc. Wild card file declaration permitted.
DU3 Disk Utility provides full screen-oriented direct disk editor
features. Four screens of command information are internally available by
typing "?".
ECHO Text entered at the command line is typed to screen without the
operating system acting on it. Useful to display messages from Aliases and
between commands of a multiple command line.
ELSE The ELSE command is FCP-resident and toggles the Flow State. If the
current IF condition is TRUE, ELSE toggles it to FALSE, and vice-versa.
ERA The ERA utility is used to remove (de-allocate) files from disks.
It is resident in either the RCP segment or in the ZCPR3 CCP module.
ERASE The ERASE utility is the transient counterpart of ERA. It is more
powerful than ERA, containing many more options and features.
(V)ERRORn Five error handlers dynamically installed by entering their command
name. VERROR and ERROR2 are screen oriented; recovery from a non-executable
command in multiple command lines is handled gracefully and quickly.
ERRORX The current error handler is disengaged with this command.
FI FI is an FCP-resident command which terminates the current IF. FI
is the same as ENDIF in concept (there is no ENDIF command in Z-System).
FINDF Searches for declared files in all user areas and disks in system.
Wild card (? and *) and multiple file names permitted.
GOTO Unconditional branch in ZEX files; used in flow-controlled loops.
HELP The HELP command provides online documentation. Typing HELP ZCPR3
or ZRDOS1<cr> brings a menu of commands to peruse, covering all aspects of Z-
System operation. ZRDOS: and ZCPR3: The Manual are used for further
information.
IF IF is an FCP-resident command which tests a condition and sets the
Flow Control State to True or False. If the Flow Control State is False, only
FCP-resident commands are executed with all other commands skipped.
LX Run executable files from within library of files. Other library
support utilities: LGET, LHELP, and LLF.
MCOPY MCOPY copies files to and from directories. It provides an easy way
to back-up files. (CP from an RCP also copies and optionally renames files.)
(V)MENU These are menu subsystems under ZCPR3. MNU and VMN menus are
created with your editor following rules detailed in HELP file system.
MKDIR Named directories are created with MKDIR. Any Disk or User Area can
be given an up-to-eight-character name. An access password is optionally
permitted with each named directory.
MU3 Memory Utility provides direct local memory (RAM) editing. Useful
to observe immediate changes to selected areas of memory.
NOTE Similar to COMMENT, but without special prompt and active for only
one line. Text typed is not acted upon by computer.
PAGE The PAGE command sends text files to CRT console screen for operator
viewing. More than one file may be viewed sequentially, skipped, with screen
wordwrap if line length exceeds screen width.
PATH Allows display and dynamic change of command-file search path.
PRINT The PRINT command provides full page printing of text files on the
printer. CPSEL selects the printer characteristics. Page heading and
numbering, and sequential file printing, with wordwrap, are available.
PROTECT Files are declared Read-Only, System, or Read-Write, singularly or
in wild-card file groups, with PROTECT.
PUBLIC Utility to declare directories global, files accessible from any
directory.
PWD The PWD command Prints the names of available Working Directories.
QUIET Entering QUIET reduces text output from certain crucial utility
programs, CD, LDR, LX, PATH, REG.
REN Renaming files is performed with resident REN or with the more
powerful transient RENAME.
SAK Strike Any Key is interactive glue, used in command lines to suspend
execution for a specified time or cancel next operation, alert operator with
console bell, cancel, or if operator not available, proceed after delay.
SFA Set file attributes: read-write, read-only, archive, wheel byte
write-protected, etc. Wild card file declaration permitted.
SETFILE Allows declaring up to four system file names to be used with shell
programs, MENU, VMENU, SAK, ALIAS, etc. SHOW indicates system files active.
SH Model shell program ready-to-use; internal commands are: ? for
help, SHCMT for comment entry, SHECHO for message text echo, and SHEXIT for
exiting the shell.
SHCTRL Shell Control permits getting out of a shell, i.e., popping the
stack.
SHOW SHOW prints a menu of options to permit recalling the status of the
ZCPR3 environment. Buffer address locations, command line length, system cpu
speed, maximum drive and user areas permitted, all on 11 screens of
information. SHOW E<cr> installs Show as an error handler.
SHSET Makes any program into a shell;
useful to control application
program usage.
UNERASE The UNERASE command permits recovering accidentally erased files.
Recovery must be made before starting any further disk drive activities.
VFILER VFILER is Z-System screen-oriented file manipulation utility.
Permits pointing to files in directory and performing operations on them:
compute lengths, view, print, copy, delete, unsqueeze, or tag (wild cards
allowed) for group (mass) processing. Ten macro commands from custom CMD
menu, new CMD per directory possible.
VTYPE File scanning utility permits forward and reverse text viewing with
controlled scrolling rate, string searches, quick goto bottom and top of file
movements, etc. Fully screen oriented with built-in in-context command help.
WHEEL WHEEL permits changing the system from secure to unsecure. If
secure, passwords are needed to access established directories and certain
utilities may not be used: ALIAS, MKDIR, PUBLIC, etc. The preset password is
SYSTEM.
XDIR The XDIR command is most powerful of three supplied file directory
listing programs (transients). Optionally shows all files in all directories
(normal and public), vertically or horizontally sorted by file name or type,
to console, printer, or file. Negate wild-card search and directory-to-file-
buffer for directory comparisons are unique features.
XIF Exit (terminate) all pending conditionals (IFs) in flow command
testing. Useful in ZEX GOTO loops.
ZEX Extended command processor for versatile multi-command/program batch
processing; interactive, user-prompts and message displays.
#########
Quack Separated From Duck. We WONDER who will be first to use Wyse WY-350
color ASCII terminal to upgrade WordStar into a multi-hued word processor.
With a little software modifications to the program buffer area, color could
be used to indicate status of text entries and changes. Different shades
could represent 1) original text, 2) moved text, 3) newly inserted or added,
4) bolded or shadowed, 5) underlined, 6) font style changed, 7) text copied
from or written to another file. We can think of many other enhancements that
would be valuable to console operators using PropStar (see Z-News 304) to
post-process WordStar files into a laser marking machine.
How do we overcome, justify cost of color terminal?
Straight-line drawing ability of modern ASCII terminals, monochrome or
multi-color, permits sharp, graceful menus to be formed--we simply haven't
taken advantage of graphics, yet. And sadly, vast crowds these days go only
for bit-mapped monitors. We WONDER why!
MOSART. November BYTE MOSART (modem synchronous, asynchronous, receiver,
transmitter) article gives an idea of where telecommunications is going.
TurnKey Bulletin Board System of Micromint, Inc., (see Z-News 207, top pg 5)
uses this hybrid module, and includes Z-Msg, Term3, and Z-System to do
software chores. Read TKBBS description in December BYTE. Call or write
Xecom, Inc., 374 Turquoise St., Milpitas, CA 95035, 408/943-0313) for prices
and literature describing MOSART module.
FLASH. S-100 board using Hitachi HD64180 high-integration chip announced by
Magnum Digital, Inc., Route #2, Box 223, Stover, MO 65078, 314/377-4419.
Unusual (perhaps unique) CPU board may be either master or slave in multi-
user/processor system. On-board are two serial ports, 64k to 256k-bytes of
static CMOS RAM, but co-board extends to 2 megabytes, I/O port drop-out timer
for fail-safe operation, bus controller for multi-processing, and many more
features. Priced at $469.00 with support software; call Mr. Dion Vaugh, MDI
President, for additional details.
Industry Brief. Five (5) Japanese companies are currently sampling one-
megabit DRAMs; Hitachi, Toshiba, NEC, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi. The sixth, Oki
Electric, starts next month. Toshiba has licensed Siemens (Regensburg, West
Germany) to produce their design. (Remember, you read it here first.) Many
British people say, "We will not change our life style to compete with
Japanese industry." We say to these, "Your life style can only be maintained
if you adapt to your changing environment. World is effectively smaller and
more accessible now then when you were philosophically (politically) Number
One." What do USAians say? Let's hear from matter releasing energy, from s-
u-b-s-t-a-n-c-e moving towards e-s-s-e-n-c-e!
By the Way, third force of triad active in Cosmos, in case you still
WONDER, is represented by instability. This force is like a wedge applied at
a tangent, never orthogonally, near an object's base. Such directed energy
permits, causes local and Cosmic change (see logo/eagle discussion in Z-News
303, pg 5.) Anyone care to label this particular force? Historically, it's
been called by many names!
Now we taste Zinfandel wine and hear zydeco music, that marvelous mixture
of French, Cajun, Creole, Celtic, and African rhythms. Real people-music,
this zydeco! Brought to our attention long ago, we believe in 1953, by Clifton
Chenier (king of the music), but made popular by Ida Guillory (Queen Ida).
Chris Strachwitz, of Berkeley radio station KPFA fame and founder of Arhoolie
Records of El Cerrito, CA, 415/525-7471, records and produces zydeco pressings
and tapes for sale. It's our bon-temps-roulet music, along with music of
Polish rebel Frederic Chopin. Zinfandel is native California. See you down
the lines...
Echelon, Inc.
101 First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 415/948-3820
Z-Node Central: 415/489-9005
Trademarks: SB180, COMM180, TKBBS, Micromint; HD63484/64180, Hitachi;
Z80/800, Zilog; NSC800, National; Friendly, Ampro; Z-System, ZCPR3, ZRDOS, Z-
Tools, Z-Com, Zas, Zlink, ZDM, REVAS, Z-Msg, DSD, TERM III, Term3, Lasting-
Value Software, Echelon and their respective owners and authors; CP/M, Digital
Research; Unix, AT&T; MOSART, XE1201/03, Xecom; PropStar, Civil Computing;
WordStar, MicroPro.
small
eagle +
here
Z i s t h e T E A C H E R !
+ *
Z-News 306 is Copyright 1985 Echelon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission
to reprint, wholly or partially, automatically granted if source credit is
given to Echelon.
