Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!laird
From: laird@think.com (Laird Popkin)
Subject: Re: HP95lx
Message-ID: <1991May2.185335.20250@Think.COM>
Sender: news@Think.COM
Organization: Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge MA, USA
References: <7w4a21w163w@ireta.cynic.wimsey.bc.ca>
Date: Thu, 2 May 91 18:53:35 GMT

In article <7w4a21w163w@ireta.cynic.wimsey.bc.ca> rob@ireta.cynic.wimsey.bc.ca (Rob Prior) writes:
>A question for you hp95lx users (and portfolio users, for that matter).
>
>When I run a program from my HD on my home PC, it loads the program
>into memory and then runs it, thus having a copy in memory and a copy
>on my HD (two copies, using the faster RAM copy for actual working).
>
>Let's say I load the same program onto a RAM card for my hp95lx (or
>portfolio).  When I run the program, will it run directly from the
>card, or will it duplicate itself into the main RAM?
>
>This is probably a question that others without palmtop computers
>(but might be in the market for them :) have.

The Portfolio has a file format called .RUN which executes the program from
ROM (or RAM) without loading it into system RAM.  Variables (documents,
etc.) are allocated from system RAM, of course.

I believe that the JEIDA/PCMCIA card format defines a similar file format,
and I would have to assume that that HP95LX would have to, to be able to run
immense programs like 123 in a machine with 512K RAM split between storage
and system memory.

Of course, if you run a standard DOS application, you end up with two
copies in memory.  On in the RAM disk, and one loaded into system memory to
execute.

- Laird Popkin, Thinking Machines

Connection Machine: Massively parallel supercomputer.  Also a cool black
cube with more blinking lights than you can shake a stick at.