VolksForth/8080/CPM/READ.ME

Changes in CP/M-volksFORTH between Version 3.80 and Version 3.80a 
UH 04March88
=============================================================================

The original CP/M-VolksForth was incompatible with CP/M+. Because of the
many version necessary to support the different CP/M Versions, a rework of
CP/M-volksForth was neccessary. We have fixed some issues on the way.

1. Changes in the Kernel (SOURCE.FB)

* The Terminal-I/O has been reduced to a minimal set, so that the kernal
  is usable right away. The line editor has been moved out the kernal
  together with all "Terminal:" functions into the file XINOUT.FB

* The kernel does not contain a fileinterface anymore, it uses the file
  that has been specified on the commandline (default-file). Usually this
  file contains the fileinterface which is loaded on the next step.

* direct Disk-I/O is not supported by the kernel anymore, because it is 
  not compatible with CP/M+. Diskaccess is only done via BDOS.

* many functions of the kernel has been newly implemented in assembler,
  a new word "search" has been added that allows quick string searches
  with capitalization

* the word CAPITALIZE has been replaced with the word UPPER. The word "exit"
  in NAME has been moved because of this.

* the kernel prints its size in 256 byte pages when leaving. This can be used
  to dump the kernel to disk using the CP/M "SAVE" command (don't forget to
  make your changes in the Forth kernel with the forth word "save" first).

* SAVE-BUFFERS has been extended by a deferred wird SAVE-DOS-BUFFERS to
  solve an issue with CP/M+

* the deferred word POSTLUDE has been added. It is responsible for the
  last action before the CP/M warmstart (enable cursor, clear screen,
  print size of the kernel ...)

* the command line from CP/M is now copied into the TIB (terminal input
  buffer) and can be interpreted from there. Using the "default-file" will
  however clear the TIB, so that this function can only be used after the
  fileinterface is loaded (DRVINIT does not open the "default-file" then)

* the Interpret-Loop has been reworked and has been extended by the 
  word PROMPT. The special word ">INTERPRET" has been removed. Its 
  function is now done by the (normal) deferred word PARSER.

* the Control-Structur words (IF, WHILE, ...) are now available 
  outside word definitions (interactivly)

* misc small changes


2. Changes in the editor (EDITOR.FB, STRING.FB)

* the tagging od screens has been fixed and it now works correctly
  with search/replace and with SHOWLOAD

* VIEW has been changed, it no searched inside the word enclosed by blanks

* the associative file is now displayed

* when using search/replace, the screennumber is incremented on the
  screen to give a visual feedback of the search function

* the string search is now implemented in the kernal, the other string
  functions has been moved into EDITOR.FB. STRING.FB has been removed.

3. Changes in the Multitasker  (TASKER.FB)

* the word TASK has been changed: the constant is now defined before 
  the task, it is now possible to forget a task with FORGET <taskname>

* the PAUSE/WAKE/STOP flow has been changed, however there is no change
  in the usage

4. Changes in the Fileinterface (FILEINT.FB)

* The fileinterface has been reworked. Some errors have been removed and
  the names of many words have been changed to be more systematic. The
  usage however is the same.


5. Terminal-Installation (adapt CP/M-volksForth to your CP/M system)
   
* because the kernel does not contain a fileinterface anymore, the file-
  interface must be loaded before the simple-editor:

           A> kernel fileint.fb 
              1 load
              use primed.fb  1 load
              use terminal.fb
      
     
6. How to create a standard CP/M-volksForth system:

* use the follwing command sequence to create the VOLKS4TH.COM from
  a KERNEL.COM file:

	     A> kernel fileint.fb
                1 load
                include startup.fb

7. new and removed files 
      
      - XINOUT.FB	terminalfunctions and line editor
      - COPY.FB         the functions COPY and CONVEY 
      - STRING.FB	(removed)