|
GOTO is like all tools, it has it's uses, don't blame the tool, blame the tool using the tool...
|
|
|
|
|
Good idea. Would you care to take over? I promise not to blame you too much.
That gives me an idea. let's not use branching instructions. I think I can emulate them with several other instructions. A little like having reflection at assembly level...
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
You say compiler, so that implies 'C' rather than assembly language. I would think a cross-compiler would at least provide #pragma's for managing code 'segmentation' as you've described. If it doesn't it's because of difficulty/laziness on the part of the compiler developers.
The alternative is for you to write the tight-loop short-branch bits in assembly language, where you can control the segmentation and branch instruction types.
Software Zen: delete this;
|
|
|
|
|
C compilers never were a thing on 8 bit computers because of the limitations of memory, mass storage and also the bus width to some extent. All compilers for 8 bit computers I have seen are more or less homemade and run on far stronger computers, like a PC.
In this particular case the problem was avoided by letting the compiler generate only long branches and assuming that nobody will miss support for a graphics chip that has been obsolete and out of production for decades. It would be a little unfair to bash someone who took the time to write the compiler for a not so mainstream processor to make such a choice.
Ironically, the processor has been in production until a few years ago and people still build little computers with them. They are ideal for learning and often they are replica of the design from 1976. Adding the graphics chip was one of the first expansions that were published back then. Even such simple graphics were sensational at a time when homebrew computers still had no graphics at all. More so because it was accomplished by adding one IC, hooked up directly to the processor's bus. I have seen several replacements for it made with programmable logic on small boards that are designed to plug into the original's 24 pin socket.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
I used a "BDS C Compiler" on a Z-80 project a long time ago (late 1980's). As I recall, I ran the compiler itself under a CP/M simulator that ran under MS-DOS.
Software Zen: delete this;
|
|
|
|
|
CP/M, Z80 and C sound like a good match. CP/M systems early on were mainstream enough to justify the effort to develop compilers for them and could support enough memory and storage devices to make it practical.
Of course I'm praising the 'enemy' in an old nerd war now. Heresy. 
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
I programmed embedded projects on 8085, Z-80, 6800, and 1802 microprocessors back in the day. I don't think I ever did anything with a 6502, but that was a lack of opportunity rather than prejudice.
Software Zen: delete this;
|
|
|
|
|
I remember reading about a continued battle between two nerds who tried to prove that 'their' processor is the measure of all things. One of them had a Z80 and started the whole thing by proclaiming that that weird and slow CDP1802 has no chance at some task against that Z80. It went back and forth for a while, but I don't think they ever came to a conclusion. Still, I like the CDP1802's programming model much more than anything that has Intel in its ancestry. ARM processors appear to be similar, but I have not done anything with them yet. They called the 1802 weird, with the ARM processors they called it RISC.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
CodeWraith wrote: I like the CDP1802's programming model much more than anything that has Intel in its ancestry
It's a major wonder Intel didn't kill themselves off with the whole memory model sh*t-show in the 8086 and its successors. I spent more brain cells than I could afford debugging segmentation issues in those days.
Software Zen: delete this;
|
|
|
|
|
Intel was excellent at only one thing: Expanding their architecture to 8 bits, then to 16 bits and beyond while maintaining backward compatibility. Motorola had a chance with their 68k processors, but they could never catch up to Intel by that time.
I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them were cats.
His last invention was an evil Lasagna. It didn't kill anyone, and it actually tasted pretty good.
|
|
|
|
|
And it pays off to be here.Reputation[^]
"It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[ ^]
|
|
|
|
|
Hypothetically (because I am definitely not offering), would you sell those 12.5 years (your CP account) for €99,999?
|
|
|
|
|
Do you have any doubt whatsoever that I'd sell mine - provided it was permitted - for €2,364,067?
They say every man has his price - I think you now know mine! 
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Never throw anything away, Griff
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
OriginalGriff wrote: 2,364,067
Why do you have 2 decimal symbols in that number? I bid EUR 3
"It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[ ^]
|
|
|
|
|
Nice try... 
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Never throw anything away, Griff
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
That's a little over my budget I'm afraid, I will have to speak with my Chinese investors and get back to you.
|
|
|
|
|
Best make it quick - the price appears to be rising all the time ...
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Never throw anything away, Griff
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
Yes. And I will spend all that money on 100 trips of 999.99 each.
"It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[ ^]
|
|
|
|
|
Make sure you book them all in advance through Thomas Cook.
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
|
|
|
|
|
|
We rebooted a couple of hours ago! 
Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640
Never throw anything away, Griff
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
|
|
|
|
|
My wife, when it comes to point out my mistakes.
"It is easy to decipher extraterrestrial signals after deciphering Javascript and VB6 themselves.", ISanti[ ^]
|
|
|
|
|
District
Di = Ex-princess
strict = meticulous
Nice clue, to a tough theme 
I am assuming the reboot clue still holds for Griff doing it on Monday. Because I am away next week so cannot play, so just in case it's me... I also nominate Griff to do Monday!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yeah, I assume that was the intended reference.
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
