Why are advanced modes introduced at all?
ZXNet echo conference «hardware.zx»
From Valery Tkachuck → To All 7 October 2006
Hello hero
Why are advanced modes introduced at all?
Analysis of extended modes for compliance with the ZX platform.
If we consider the existing, under construction and only discussed clones from the point of view
in terms of compliance of their extended modes with the ZX platform,
we get the following:
1) In Turbo-2+, when working in CP/M, a completely non-ZX architecture is used.
2) In the development of Caro at eZ80-50MHz, the very use of this microcontroller
excludes compatibility with ZX by port addresses, it would also be unwise
refuse the opportunity provided to them to work in the address space
16 Mb.
3) In the discussed version on ARM, the use of this processor is not in
Z80 emulation excludes that the computer in this mode belongs to the ZX platform.
Analysis of the main purpose of extended modes.
When viewed from the point of view of the main purpose of advanced modes
we get the following:
1) In Turbo-2+, the main meaning of its extended modes is to work in iS-DOS and CP/M
incl. using HDD and CD;
2) In the development of Caro at eZ80-50MHz, as I understand it, CP/M was planned, and again
we can assume that the main goal is the convenience of disk operations on fast
computer (on Turbo-2+, for example, HDD does not work much faster than FDD) and in
addition to this is a certain possibility of modern network communications (althoughspeed, you can already use a UNIX clone for the Z80, which in all respects
should be better than CP/M, even in the version with such reduced capabilities);
3) In the discussed version on ARM it is possible to use a full-fledged
A 32-bit UNIX clone with all the attendant features - and only this
the main purpose of this extended mode of operation. Accordingly
it is also necessary to focus on software already available on the UNIX platform, and not
expect this to be a new path for ZX development. With the ZX platform this is the way
has nothing in common except that it will be two computers in .
Conclusions:
1) From consideration of the main purpose of extended modes it is clear that
there are attempts to eliminate the shortcomings of the ZX platform by
combining two hardware platforms. In this case, borrowing is used
missing capabilities due to the introduction of additional hardware architecture
and the use of software from other software platforms on it.
2) The presence of a computer in with the ZX is not a Siamese twin
is a development of the ZX platform, because the latter does not belong to it (see.
definition of the ZX platform http://www.zx.pk.ru/showpost.php?p=57749&postcount=109
).
3) For the development of the ZX platform, in most cases, at a minimum
it is enough to have a data exchange interface and the capabilities providedclient software in a client-server system with a PC. In this case, the RS is used as
file server, and ZX as a diskless station.