Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!lll-crg!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdcc6!sdcc3!ma168a
From: ma168a@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU (John Wavrik)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: DOS access
Message-ID: <3674@sdcc3.ucsd.EDU>
Date: Tue, 25-Nov-86 16:13:53 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc3.3674
Posted: Tue Nov 25 16:13:53 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Nov-86 21:26:53 EST
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 32


   Most of my work with Forth (for 8 years) has been in mathematics research. I
 have also used (MMS) Forth packages to meet my word-processing and database
 needs. As a result, I have rarely been mindful of the fact that Forth is
 isolated from the DOS environment. My only notice, in fact, was that
 information from programs -- or even program source -- needed to be sent to
 other computers from within the Forth environment.
 
   Recently I was faced with the problem of writing a filter program to convert
 text files to PostScript files suitable for an Apple LaserWriter. Forth would
 have been ideal for providing a modifiable filter. Unfortunately, the
 production of a free-standing program that operates on DOS files does not seem
 compatible with the way Forth is implemented. The best I could do using
 MMS-Forth (which, at least, provides a conversion utility) is to convert the
 source file to a Forth file, process the Forth file, and convert the result
 back to DOS format. I wound up developing the core program in Forth and
 recoding it in Pascal!
 
   It not my job to implement languages. I realize that it is easiest to
 implement a compact, self-contained programming environment. I cannot assess
 what is involved in extending the environment. I can only report, as an avid
 Forth user, the frustration of knowing how do do something useful in the
 "outside world" but feeling boxed in by a system that does not provide outside
 access.
 
    The committees that guide this language are involved with such issues as
 whether conditionals should leave -1 or 1 on the stack; and whether LEAVE
 should exit immediately or be more patient. I wonder if there has been any
 work concerning the interaction of Forth with "foreign" operating systems.
 
                                                      J. Wavrik
                                                      UCSD