COMP.SYS.CBM: The breeding ground of programmers and users alike. Let's see what topics are showing up this month:
Over the past few months, there has been some discussion of the C programming language, a common language used in the development of many UNIX, Windows, and Macintosh applications. We're not exactly sure what sparked the discussion, but GNU C came up very early. For those who don't know, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is an organization that sponsors the creation and maintenance of many fine applications and utilities. One such group of applications are known as the GNU (GNU's Not UNIX) applications. Many people use the GNU utilities because they can be compiled and run on many different machines. One of the more popular apps is GNU C, which can be run on many computer systems as well as create object code for all the supported environments. The system is highly customizable, which explains why there was talk of both porting GNU C to the Commodore 64, and/or using a DOS or UNIX version of the compiler to create object code that would run on the C64. The thread has drug on for quite a while, but seems to be winding down. We're not sure there was a general consensus, but many remarked that GNU C is simply too large to run on a C64. In addition, the assumptions it makes about the supported hardware architectures makes cross-compilation a near impossibility. Still, many are searching for a way to bring ANSI C to the Commodore system.
Success may come from CMD, as Doug Cotton mentioned that they were looking into a 65C816 cross compiler with the hopes of porting a small free C compiler to the 64 environment.
Now that the SuperCPU has started shipping from CMD, the newsgroup has been abuzz with questions and thoughts about the units. However, it seems the group is always one step ahead of CMD. Now that the units have started appearing on user's doorsteps, questions about the planned 128 unit and the SCPU RamCard have dominated the topics. The fact that the 64 unit actually contains 128 kB or RAM confused some folks, who wanted to know why they were paying for this extra RAM, and how they could take advantage of it now that they have it. Then, as fast as folks described that the extra RAM was actually used to "shadow" the ROM so that the KERNAL could run at full speed, the topic switched from present RAM to planned RAM.
Questions ranging from how much RAM would be available on the RamCard, to how fast the RAM could be accessed, to what style of modules could be used have been debated. CMD, the developers of the RamCard, acknowledged that the full address space of 16 megabytes would be available on the unit and that they would try to provide speeds as fast as economically possible. CMD has also stated that they will be utilizing the same 30 pin SIMM technology that is used in the company's RamLink product. Some Usenetters debated that 72 pin SIMMs were becoming more cost effective, but CMD countered that only those that upgrade to the full capacity of the unit would realize any cost savings.
The substantial increase in power the SuperCPU provides the programmer brought many questions and comments on planned or potential new operating systems for the unit. As of yet, none have surfaced, but only time will tell. For its part, CMD has made GEOS compatibility a staple of the new unit, so that OS will run correctly. At least one commercial venture, PROTOVISION, is allegedly planning an all GUI OS for the unit. See Newsfront (Section: news) for more information.
Brett Tabke, of PHD Software Systems, announced that he is busy upgrading his Karma assembler for the 128 to run on the new unit and praised the virtues of the new opcodes, modes, and options available when operating the unit in "Native mode." This started some discussion on writing code that only runs on the new processor. The sides were split almost immediately, as all noted that while the new applications would run very well on the SCPU, they would not run at all on a stock 64. Proponents noted that new software demands the purchase of the SCPU, while purists maintained that that would limit the software to a small market segment.
Now, before you start thinking of 3-dimensional plastic cases and track 0 head knocking in quadrophonic sound, let's explain the topic. Many users have expressed a desire to virtualize the IBM PC as a glorified 1541 drive with full emulation. The closest thing as yet is the 64NET package, which allows you to load and save programs to the IBM PC hard drive like it was a regular CBM drive. The drawback to 64NET is its non- standard access method. Before you can access the emulated CBM drive, you have to load special software on the 64 and use a special user port cable. So, for users who demand perfect emulation, no choices exist yet. The lack of options haven't dented the dreams of many who outlined the "technical specifications" of such a virtual disk drive.
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1997-03-31 by Jim Brain