Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!well!jax
From: jax@well.sf.ca.us (Jack J. Woehr)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Re: Applicability of Forth for Embedded Control
Keywords: Forth, 'C'
Message-ID: <19229@well.sf.ca.us>
Date: 25 Jul 90 03:11:07 GMT
References: <1990Jul23.210810.28701@jts.com>
Distribution: na
Lines: 50

gil@jtsv16.jts.com (gil hauer) writes:

>I am involved in a project to build an embedded controller (based on
>an i80188). What are the advantages/disadvantages of using Forth
>environment in the controller over a compiled 'C' program?

	Advantages:

	- No steenking operating system.

	- Built-in parser, interpreter, user interface.

	- Interpretive environment. Test each function as you define
it. Bang hardware interpretively for faster debugging. Hi-level debugger.

	(PS, don't build your own 80188, buy one from me with a fine,
hundreds-of-proven-installations Forth-83 on it. Email me your snail
address and I'll send you the Vesta Technology Inc. catalog of single
board computers with Forth, C and Basic on them. jax@well.UUCP,
{hplabs,pacbell,ucb}!well!jax)

	- Forth designed for realtime control, C designed for minicomputers.
(See my articles in "Embedded Systems Programming" magazine over the
last year or so)

	Disadvantages:

	- There are about 1,000 C programmers for every Forth programmer.

	- When your project fails, you don't have an arcane compiler and
debugger to take the blame for you.

	- People think you are crazy for preferring a language *designed*
for realtime control to a language designed for enriching AT&T.

>As an aside, I just picked up TILE Forth from alt.sources. I am using
>this Forth environment for learning and would like to port it to the
>80188. Does anyone have any experience in doing this?

	TILE is a little elaborate for what you have in mind. If,
in the tradition of Forthers everywhere, you decide to roll your own,
start with F83 by Laxen & Perry, or FIG-FOrth, or F-PC Forth, it's
easier.

	Good luck, friend!

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