Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!utcsri!utegc!utai!garfield!sean1 From: sean1@garfield.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: C-power information for a 128 Message-ID: <3680@garfield.UUCP> Date: Mon, 1-Jun-87 01:07:06 EDT Article-I.D.: garfield.3680 Posted: Mon Jun 1 01:07:06 1987 Date-Received: Mon, 1-Jun-87 04:35:31 EDT References: <243@uwslh.UUCP> Reply-To: sean1@garfield.UUCP (Sean Huxter) Distribution: na Organization: Memorial University of Nfld, St. John's Lines: 108 In article <243@uwslh.UUCP> lishka@uwslh.UUCP (Christopher Lishka) writes: > > My questions then are the following: > > 1) How good of a value is the C-128 C-Power compiler? I am interested > in it mainly for the 2 megahertz operation in 80-column mode, as > what I want to do with it does not require graphics. I know that > the benchmarks for C-Power aren't that impressive, but it is all > I can afford, and it IS only a two megahertz 6502-modifaction. It is, in my opinion, a good value. If you want to program on a 128, then it is the best value around. It is C, not assembler, which can be very tedious, and the speed you get is great considering that it is a high level language. If you want more speed you have to step down to Assembler level. I too am interested in the 80 columns mode of the 128. The shell that is included works in both the 80 and 40 columns. You might like this. The shell is more friendly, but they have replaced "ls" with "dir" Oh, well... > 2) Can the 128 version generate code for the C-64? I know that the > the instruction set is the same, and it does not seem unreasonable > that the 128 would work with the C-64, considering that C-Power > is available for the latter anyway. That only leaves the differences > in internal architecture. On the same line, how well does C-Power > work in 80-column as well as 40-column mode? I am really interested > in 80-column editting, but every now and then I will want to do > graphics with the VIC chip, requiring the normal 40-column mode. I don't think the compiler can cross-compile for the 64, but as you said, you already have the C-Power for the 64, so there should be no problem...except speed. You should have NO problem editing or writing editors in 80 columns. All of the control movements you need can be done with printf statements, and there are even escape codes to do neat things that the 64 can only DREAM about. And you can switch to 40 columns and back by printing "ESC-X" or by poking a simple location. You can peek that location (I forget which one now) to find out what mode you are in. I wrote a MORE program which will operate properly, regardless of the mode you are in, because it checks first. > 3) How fast is it in terms of disk accessing, including compilation > time? I use C-Power on the C-64 with an Epyx Fastload cartridge > (a marvelous piece of hardware), and the speed difference is very > helpful (I don't even mind typing 'disk u;' after each major > operation). Does the compilation on the C-128 go faster? Given > the expanded memory inside the machine (even though it bank > switches), can BOTH the compiler and source code be resident at > one time, requiring fewer disk accesses? This is also important, > because I plan to write a nice, large program (very modular), and > any increase in compile/link time would be very nice. If you have a 1571 disk drive, as opposed to the 1541, the disk access is approximately 6 times faster. You can also use a speedup cartridge, and I don't even think it affects the BAM. (Not sure there, though...) The compile time is FAST! Because, for the main reason, there are TWO built-in RAM-disks. (They share 191 blocks). You can store your compiler there, plush your sources, and store your .o file there, and the speed is tremendous, because there is NO disk access. Or, you can use two drives, or one. It is up to you, and in either case, it is MUCH faster than the 64 version. The expanded memory in the machine, (128K) allows you to have the RAMdisk, so in a way, your source and your compiler can be resident at the same time. > 4) How compatible are the library functions with the ones in the > C-64? I know there must be differences becaused of the internal > layouts of each machine. Does C-Power provide routines for BOTH > machines in the 128 version (cross-compilation to the C-64), and > if not, can I get ahold of a decent set for the C-64 that will > work with the C-128 version? Not sure. Sorry. > 5) Lastely, how bad are the bugs? I am a Junior in the Comp-Sci > Undergrad department, and since my last course dealt with Operating > Systems, we programmed heavily in C. Now I have tried to write > the same, modular C code on C-Power-64 that I did in my class, > and boy did it crash, crash, crash! It seems that C-Power could > not understand the many very helpful typedef's to pointer structures > that we had used HEAVILY in my class. Since I am going to be > writing something close to a minor coputer language, I NEED those > very helpful typoedef's. The bugs are not too serious. There are a few, and they may cause compatibility problems, but nothing that can't be overcome VERY easily, by changing your programing style. Really, it is no problem. > Thanks for any information that anyone may be able to provide me. No sweat. You may also like the 128 for telecommunications. That is what I am using at this moment. I have a 128, with the 1702 monitor, and an 80 column monochrome monitor at the same time, a 1200 baud 1670 modem, a 1571 disk drive and a mouse. You may be interested to know, that at the same time, you can be displaying graphics on one monitor, (in 40 column mode) and text on the 80 column monitor. I have a program that puts a graphic on the 40 column screen, with a mouse-pointer going, and at the same time, I can be listing my program on the other monitor. I always use the 80 column monitor for Telecommunicating. I use the VT100 emulator that comes with the 1670 modem. It is wonderful! Hope I was of help. /| / / // Sean Huxter |UUCP: {utai,cbosgd,ihnp4,akgua, ____/_/__ __ | | P.O. Box 366 | allegra}!garfield!sean1 -=<_________|__|=|<| Springdale |CDNNET: sean1@garfield.mun.cdn \ \ | | NF, Canada | \ \ \\ A0J 1T0 | "THUNDERBIRDS are GO!" \|