millfork/README.md

2.4 KiB

Millfork

A middle-level programming language targeting 6502-based, 8080-based, Z80-based and 6809-based microcomputers.

For binary releases, see: https://github.com/KarolS/millfork/releases (latest: 0.3.30).
For build instructions, see Build instructions.

Features

  • high performance, due to being designed and optimized for 8-bit microprocessors

  • multiple targets:

    • Commodore 64 (the primary target)

    • Commodore 64 with SuperCPU (experimental, incomplete and very buggy)

    • other Commodore computers: C16, Plus/4, C128, PET, VIC-20 (stock or with RAM extensions)

    • other 6502-based machines: Famicom/NES, Atari Lynx, Atari 8-bit computers, BBC Micro, Apple II+/IIe/Enhanced IIe, Atari 2600 (experimental), Commander X16 (experimental)

    • Z80-based machines: ZX Spectrum 48k, NEC PC-88, Amstrad CPC, MSX, TRS-80 Model 1 and 3, Robotron Z1013

    • CP/M

    • Game Boy (experimental)

    • Tandy Color Computer (experimental)

    • MS-DOS (very experimental, via 8080-to-8086 translation)

  • multiple supported target processors:

    • well supported: MOS 6502, Ricoh 2A03/2A07, WDC 65C02, Intel 8080, Intel 8085, Zilog Z80

    • reasonably well supported: Sharp LR35902, CSG 65CE02, Motorola 6809

    • partially supported: Hudson Soft HuC6280, WDC 65816, Intel 8086

  • inline assembly

  • simple macros

  • pay only for what you use: not a single byte of memory is used unless for code or explicitly declared variables

  • a simple memory model that avoids using the stack

  • multi-pass whole-program optimizer (that will even optimize your hand-written assembly if you ask it to)

  • support for multi-file programs (Commodore only) and banked cartridges

Licensing

The compiler is distributed under GPLv3 (see LICENSE).

The standard include files (located in the include directory) are distributed under a more permissive Zlib license (see include/LICENSE). Therefore, no attribution is needed if you are developing and distributing Millfork programs.

The documentation is distributed under the CC-0 license.

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