This is a 4K byte program which interprets the popular
BASIC programming language. Acorn's interpreter uses 32 bit integers to provide
a numeric range of ± 2,000,000,000, and has additional instructions specifically
aimed for manipulating real machine addresses. The interpreter requires an Acorn
Operating System for handling keyboard and VDU and can typically process 500
statements per second.
BASIC Floating Point Extension
This is an additional 4K byte program which adds 9 digit
floating point manipulation to the repertoire of the integer BASIC interpreter.
Also included are scientific function and plot routines for the VDU.
This is an additional 2K byte program which adds statements
to BASIC allowing the control of experiments in real time. Operates
with both the
Laboratory Interface where the state of each input/output is controlled and
timed using a 10mS clock interrupt or the
Analogue Interface Board allowing reading and writing of the ADC and DACs.
Cassette Operating
System (COS)
This is a 2K byte program providing support for other
programs by dealing with peripherals and allowing programs to be filed on
cassette tape. It supports Acorn's Teletext VDU, a parallel ASCII keyboard and a
Centronics style parallel printer via a VIB.
This is a 4K byte program providing support for other
programs by dealing with peripherals and allowing programs to be filed on
mini-floppy disks. It supports Acorn's Teletext VDU, a parallel ASCII keyboard
and a Centronics style parallel printer via a VIB. The mini-floppy is Acorn's
single density single-sided drive with controller, giving the user 100K bytes of
file space. A second mini-floppy drive can be added.
Network Operating System
(NOS)
This is a 4K byte program providing support for other programs by dealing with peripherals and allowing programs to be filed on the Econet Network.
Assembler/Disassembler/Editor (ADE)
This is a 4K byte program for assembling machine code
programs. It comprises 3 distinct parts: 1) a full symbolic 2 pass assembler 2)
a symbolic disassembler 3) a text file editor The ADE requires an Acorn
Operating System for handling keyboard and VDU.
LISP
This is a 6K byte interpreter plus an initialised workspace
for this famous list processing language. The interpreter requires an Acorn
Operating System for handling keyboard and VDU.
Screen Editor
This is a 2½K
byte program for creating and editing plain text with an integral justifier
which is available in a micro-space version for Daisy Wheel printers.
Pascal
The Acorn implementation of Pascal is designed to provide a
fast and powerful alternative to Basic on all our systems. Pascal is a modern
programming language which allows and encourages the use of structured
programming methods which in turn allow programs to be developed and in
particular maintained much more efficiently than is possible with older
languages.
The Acorn Pascal system includes, in addition to the
compiler, an editor which also acts as the user interface to the other programs
in the system, an interpreter for the compiler generated intermediate code, and
an in-line assembler for programming critical or "close-to-the-machine"
routines.
The compilers in current systems are restricted to a subset
of standard Pascal so that the whole system can be resident in memory for
fastest program development, but the subset includes all the most used features
of the language, the main items sacrificed being the most advanced data
structures. Extensions are included to provide full access to graphics and
operating system facilities.
Versions of the system are available for both disk and ROM.
Summary of specification
Compiler
The Pascal subset supported includes:
·
integer (16 bit), character, Boolean and
floating point (40 bit) data types
·
all the executable statements of standard Pascal
·
procedures and functions with parameters and
local variables
·
arithmetic, logical and relational operators
·
library functions and procedures
·
arrays and text files
·
in-line mnemonic assembler
·
built-in graphics and interface to the operating
system
Editor
Commands include:
·
forward and backward search
·
delete, insert and modify lines
·
save and load text and object code
·
compile text and execute object code
Software is also available from Acorn for interfacing the
following devices:
1.
Serial terminals e.g. 20mA Teletypes and RS232C
devices
2.
Modems and in particular the GPO Prestel system
3.
PROM programmer for fusible link and UV erasable
devices
4.
Daisy Wheel printers i.e. RP1600