(C) Music: Cardinal / Accept Corp.
The following system created by one of
oldest Spektrumistov Rybinsk.
A L L T E R N A T I V A
As you know, the primary means of
PC programming ZX SPECTRUM is the assembler language and BASIC.
Advantages and disadvantages of them are well known: the
assembler allows you to create high-quality programs, but very
difficult to create programs with complex logical structure;
BASIC - Program too slow, even when using the compilers, but
more simple in development. To overcome these shortcomings
typically use the mixed program, such as logic BASIC, assembly
language and graphics, but it often adds more problems. Propose
an alternative - programming in FORTH. Unlike existing SPECTRUM
languages, only FORTH is really effective,
all others can be regarded as no more than
educational versions. At the moment
I know of several versions of the language FORTH
on ZX SPECTRUM: ZX-FORTH 1.1 (C) 1982
ARTIC COMPUTING LTD.; Fig-FORTH 1.1 (C)
1983 ABERSOFT; BETA-FORTH (C)???? SN
Sheep (LIIAN), adaptation of the OS and ISDOS Rumyantsev;
ZX-FORTH 2.7 (C) 1982 ARTIC COMPUTING LTD. Modification 1997
DELTA. All four are mentioned
fully operational, except
possible, fig-FORTH 1.1, which is virtually identical to the
ZX-FORTH 1.1 (Source taken, obviously, on ZXFORTH 1.1), but is
made solely for with tape.
So, what can FORTH!? All that
BASIC and can still five times as much and
much faster! And yet the size of the program is much less! On
speed FORTH surpasses nearly all existing
programming languages, and if possible
in general has no equal. Where else
language can create their own
operators (not the procedure) and modify itself during
execution of the program? FORTH for all this - the natural
process, because it is the way he works. There are, of course,
and disadvantages, but they can be eliminated by means of
language itself and even turned into advantages.
Now more specifically.
FORTH most efficiently can be used on ZX SPECTRUM in the
writing of puzzle games, strategy games together using
assembler for time-critical procedures of the program. But
skate FORTH 'and are adventyury and here appears to work
directly into a console mode of language.
For example: create word LOOK (inspection
location), the word GO, etc., then we go out
in a console mode, and the game started, ie,
when you enter any of the specific words
system will find it in the dictionary and there also will
perform and do not need to write any shells for the game.
Thus, by creating a library of words to adventyurnyh
games, write and debug a simple game for a few hours,
and the creation of game-class Star Heritage "will take several
days, not counting the time to create graphics, of course,
subject mastery of language.
Think beyond yourself.
Best
Regards,
DELTA (SHRSOFT).
12. 05. 97
ADV: FORTH - the system is very interesting, but somewhat
difficult to understand. Moreover, people who start with FORTH
faster it cut one than people who switched from
other languages. In connection with this case, the idea to open
a page in our magazine FORTH 'as well.
Conduct it, are likely to be CAV and
SHRSOFT.
