Hello,

I checked a Forth Dimensions article reference and articles "Toward
Eliminating Forth Screens" 7-3(p7)
<http://www.forth.org/fd/FD-V07N3.pdf> and "Screenless Forth" 8-5(p13)
<http://www.forth.org/fd/FD-V08N5.pdf>described file loaders for F-83. I
would guess that similar articles may apply to PolyForth- I just cannot
find them.
Apparently several Forth Dimensions letters debated the merit of screens
versus files, and I remain old enough to recall spirited discussions on
the issue. Developers loyal to specific (usually multiple programming
language, syntax directed) editors preferred the ability to work with
text files while developers working exclusively in Forth and Forth
Assembler preferred the legacy, modularity, and portability of screens..
-Wil Blake

On 2/11/2009 9:32 AM, Nigel Bond wrote:
> *Hi Howard,*
> **
> **
> **
> *Thanks for the reply.*
> **
> *Bizarrely I'm migrating BACK to PF8086 for an 8051 project that uses
> chipFORTH (Forerunner of SwiftX, runs under PF8086)*
> **
> *I'd like to have new code in an ASCII file.*
> **
> *I'll roll up my sleeves and write an ascii file loader.*
> **
> **
> **
> *Many Thanks & Best Regards*
> **
> **
> *Nije*
> **
> **
> **
> **
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* swiftx-bounce_at_forth.com
> [mailto:swiftx-bounce_at_forth.com]*On Behalf Of *Howard Lee Harkness
> *Sent:* 09 February 2009 12:38
> *To:* swiftx_at_forth.com
> *Subject:* [swiftx] Re: PolyFORTH 8086 L3
>
> When I first used PolyForth 86, back in the 80's, one of the first
> things I did was write an ASCII file loader, for which many of my
> fellow Forthers chided me, but it made things significantly easier
> in several ways. For starters, it was easier to make backups,
> transfer code from one machine to another, and use the old
> PolyTron VCS code/version management tools. Plus, I didn't have to
> teach a strange new editor to the technicians who had to modify
> the data tables -- they could use the DOS editor they already knew.
>
> I would not expect it to be any more difficult to write a tool
> that would translate blocks to ASCII files. The main challenge
> would be to translate (iirc) LOAD <block#> to something compatible
> with your new loader. The first thing that occurred to me is to
> write each block to a separate file using a naming convention that
> includes the block number, then write a LOAD word that uses that
> naming convention.
>
> e.g., LOAD 23 would load a file "23.4th", or something similar.
> Or, since an extension isn't really needed, the file could simply
> be "24".
>
> I would not expect that to take more than a day or two to write.
>
> Happy Forthing! I have to admit a bit of jealousy, since the last
> Forth I got to write for a living was a few years ago, for GE in
> Longview, TX. Except for a timing error in my personal life, I
> might still be there; it was one of the most enjoyable jobs I ever
> had. Nowadays, I'm programming in C++, and consider myself
> extremely fortunate to have a job at all in the current economy.
>
> On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 4:03 AM, Nigel Bond <nigel_at_techwiz.co.uk
> <mailto:nigel_at_techwiz.co.uk>> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> When migrating to SwiftX I was convinced I would miss blocks.
> I did not.
>
> I'm now needed to get back into pF8086 L3 and I'm wondering ....
>
>
>
> Has anyone got any code/suggestions for loading text source
> files in pF8086?
> (Running in DOS, or DOS under W95/98/ME)
>
> Is anyone old enough to know what I'm talking about?
>
>
>
>
> Any comments most appreciated.
>
>
>
>
> Nigel Bond
> Engineer
> TIC Irrigation Controls Ltd.
> Devon. UK.
>
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>
> --
> Howard Lee Harkness
> Pro-Count, Inc.
> 214 269-1171
>

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Received on Wed Feb 11 2009 - 07:26:31 PST