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Irmen de Jong
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# Conflicts: # docs/source/_static/symboldumps/skeletons-c128.txt # docs/source/_static/symboldumps/skeletons-c64.txt # docs/source/_static/symboldumps/skeletons-cx16.txt # docs/source/_static/symboldumps/skeletons-pet32.txt # docs/source/_static/symboldumps/skeletons-virtual.txt # docs/source/compiling.rst # gradle.properties
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ReStructuredText
265 lines
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ReStructuredText
.. _history:
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.. index:: History
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Prog8 Compiler Release History
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==============================
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A condensed timeline of major releases and significant changes in the Prog8 programming language compiler.
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.. note::
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**Python to Kotlin Transition:** The original Prog8 compiler (pre-1.0) was written in **Python**. In early 2022, the compiler was completely rewritten in **Kotlin** starting with v1.0 Beta. The Kotlin rewrite brought significant improvements in performance, IDE support, type safety, and maintainability. This document covers the Kotlin-era releases.
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Summary of Major Language Milestones
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------------------------------------
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| Version | Milestone Feature |
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+===========+=============================================================+
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| 1.6 | Address-of operator ``&`` |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 1.10 | ``when`` statement (multi-way branch) |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 1.11 | Structs (first introduction) |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 3.0 | CPU registers removed, new loop syntax |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 4.0 | CommanderX16 target support |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 5.0 | Calling convention overhaul (registers for returns) |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 6.0 | Virtual registers ``cx16.r0-r15`` |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 7.0 | Structs removed |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 8.3 | ``bool`` datatype |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 9.0 | ``min``/``max``/``clamp`` builtins, ``@split`` arrays |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 9.3 | Software evaluation stack removed |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 9.7 | Unicode identifiers, ``continue`` statement |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 10.0 | Short-circuit boolean logic |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 10.3 | ``void`` keyword for multi-return |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 11.0 | ``const long``, split arrays by default |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 11.1 | Multi-value returns from subroutines |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 11.4 | ``on .. goto`` jump tables |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 12.0 | **``long`` datatype**, **structs reintroduced**, |
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| | **typed pointers** |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 12.1 | ``swap()`` builtin, ``psg2`` module, PET32 floats/gfx/snd, |
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| | ``strings.split()``/``next_token()``, C128 2MHz mode |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 12.2 | Long loop support, ``private``, enum syntax, 2D arrays, |
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| | new modules (serial, wavfile, adpcm, lineclip) |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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| 12.3 | Deterministic module search order, -srcdirs priority |
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+-----------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
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Breaking Changes Summary
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------------------------
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Major breaking changes that require code modifications when upgrading:
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- **v3.0**: CPU registers (A,X,Y) removed, loop syntax changed
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- **v4.0**: Module renames, ``mkword()`` parameter order flipped
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- **v5.0**: Calling convention overhaul
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- **v5.3**: Explicit ``&`` required for pointer assignments
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- **v7.0**: Structs removed, ``%target`` directive removed
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- **v9.0**: ``-target`` now required
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- **v9.3**: Eval stack removed (affects low-level code)
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- **v10.0**: ``push``/``pop`` moved to ``sys`` module
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- **v10.2**: Stricter boolean types
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- **v10.4**: Namespace reorganization (``cx16`` to ``cbm``)
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- **v12.0**: Structs reintroduced (different from v1.11), typed pointers
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- **v12.1**: Combined virtual register renames (``R0R1_32`` → ``R0R1``, etc.)
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- **v12.2**: ``swap()`` is now a statement (not a function), ``math.crc16()`` and ``math.crc16_start()`` require new parameters, ``private`` is now a reserved keyword
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- **v12.3**: Deterministic module search order, filesystem priority over internal resources
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2019–2022 — Early Development (Python to Kotlin Transition)
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-----------------------------------------------------------
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**v1.0–v1.2 Beta** — January–February 2022
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- **First public Kotlin release** (v1.0, 26 Jan)
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- **MAJOR: Compiler rewritten from Python to Kotlin** — complete implementation language change
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- Zeropage variable allocation and block-level variable initialization
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- Gradle build system, math optimizations, ``floatsafe`` zeropage mode
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**v1.3–v1.6** — March–April 2022
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- ``asmsub`` routines can return values in expressions
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- **Address-of operator ``&`` implemented** — replaces ``memory`` keyword
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- For loops can iterate over literal collections
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- New builtins: ``strlen()``, ``sqrt16()``, ``pow()``, ``powf()``
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**v1.7–v1.11** — July 2022
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- **Array size optional** with initializer
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- **``%asmbinary`` directive** for assembly inclusion
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- **AST-based Virtual Machine** with optimization passes
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- **``when`` statement** — new multi-way control flow
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- **Structs added** — composite datatype feature
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**v1.20** — July 2023
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- **Struct literals** — inline struct initialization
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2023 — Language Maturation
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--------------------------
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**v2.0–v2.3** — May–July 2023
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- Major compiler speedup (scope lookups, code generation)
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- Stricter type checking, optimized ``swap()``
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- **String value reassignment**, new string functions (``leftstr``, ``rightstr``, ``substr``)
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- Subroutine inlining optimization
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**v3.0–v3.2** — July–August 2023
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- **CPU register variables (A, X, Y) removed** — use inline assembly
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- **Loop syntax changes**: ``repeat-until`` to ``do-until``, new ``repeat X {}``, ``forever {}`` removed
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- **``continue`` statement removed**
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- **``sizeof()`` function added**
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- Optimized in-place/augmented assignments — major performance boost
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**v4.0–v4.1** — August–September 2023
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- **CommanderX16 target added** — major platform expansion
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- **Floating point support for CX16**, VERA registers, 65c02 features
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- **``lsl()``/``lsr()`` removed** — use ``<<=1``/``>>=1``
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- Module renames (``c64scr`` to ``txt``), ``mkword()`` parameter order flipped
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**v4.2–v4.6** — September–October 2023
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- **Cross-platform C64/CX16 compatibility**
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- **``.w`` postfix removed** — breaking syntax change
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- **``%option no_sysinit`` directive** — skip system initialization
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- **String escape characters**: ``\\xHH``, ``\\'``
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- **``diskio`` module introduced** — file I/O routines
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- **Automatic string comparisons** by value
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**v5.0–v5.4** — November 2023–January 2024
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- **Calling convention overhaul**: args via variables, returns via registers
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- **Explicit ``&`` required** for string/array pointer assignments
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- **``in`` containment operator**: ``if xx in [1,2,3]``
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- **Experimental C128 target**
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- **Pipe operator ``|>``** and **string encoding syntax** (``iso:"hello"``)
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- **``@requirezp`` flag** — force zeropage allocation
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- **Rewritten variable allocation** — large program size savings
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2024 — Advanced Features
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------------------------
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**v6.0–v6.4** — January–March 2024
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- **Virtual registers ``cx16.r0..r15``** for CX16 and C64
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- **New builtins**: ``target()``, ``offsetof()``, ``memory()``, ``cmp()``
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- **``gfx2`` module** — enhanced graphics with highres modes
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- **``peekw()``, ``pokew()``** — word memory access
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- **IRQ handling routines** for CX16
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- **Improved RNG** with seeded variants (``rndseed``, ``rndseedf``)
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- **Assembly new6502codegen completed** — all expression types supported
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**v7.0–v7.8** — June 2024–February 2025
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- **Struct feature removed** — rewrite as separate variables
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- **``%target`` directive removed** — use CLI options only
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- **Software evaluation stack removed** — frees memory page and X register
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- **PET32 target** — Commodore PET 4032 support
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- **2x faster multiplication** and square root operations
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- **New modules**: ``verafx``, ``emudbg``, ``monogfx``, ``sprites``
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- **Builtins**: ``setlsb()``, ``setmsb()``, ``math.diff()``, ``math.diffw()``
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**v8.0–v8.13** — April 2024–May 2025
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- **R39 CX16 ROM support**
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- **``**`` operator removed** — use ``floats.pow()``
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- **Experimental VM target** with ``syscall`` builtin
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- **API reorganization**: trig/float functions moved to ``math``/``floats`` modules
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- **``bool`` datatype introduced** — optimized true/false (0/1)
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- **BSS section** — uninitialized variables, reduced PRG size
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- **``divmod()``, ``divmodw()`` builtins**
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- **Major new6502codegen optimizations** — significantly smaller and faster code
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**v9.0–v9.7** — June–December 2024
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- **``-target`` now required** (c64 no longer default)
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- **New builtins**: ``min()``, ``max()``, ``clamp()``
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- **``@split`` storage class** — efficient LSB/MSB array storage
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- **``cbm`` module** — all CBM kernal routines
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- **Boolean ``when`` conditions**
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- **Underscores in numbers**: ``320_000``
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- **Multiple declarations/assignments**: ``ubyte x,y,z`` and ``x=y=z=calculate()``
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- **``continue`` statement** for loops
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- **Unicode identifiers**: ``knäckebröd``, ``π``
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- **Negative array indexing** (Python-style)
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- **Range containment**: ``if x in 10 to 100``
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2024–2026 — Modern Prog8
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------------------------
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**v10.0–v10.5** — January–November 2024
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- **Short-circuit boolean evaluation** (McCarthy logic)
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- **Stricter boolean types** — no longer equivalent to bytes, require explicit casting
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- **``void`` keyword** — skip unused return values in multi-return assignments
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- **Namespace reorganization**: non-X16 variables moved from ``cx16`` to ``cbm``
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- **Builtins removed**: ``sort``, ``reverse``, ``any``, ``all`` to ``anyall`` module
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- **Compiler renamed to ``prog8c``**
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- **``defer`` statement** — delayed execution for resource cleanup
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- **If-expression**: ``result = if x>10 "yes" else "no"``
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- **Memory alignment**: ``@alignword``, ``@alignpage``, ``@align64``
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- **Array literals with repetition**: ``[42] * 99``
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**v11.0–v11.4** — December 2024–June 2025
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- **``const long`` numbers** — 32-bit integer literals
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- **``goto`` can jump to calculated addresses**
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- **Word arrays split by default** (LSB/MSB in separate arrays)
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- **Subroutines can return multiple values**
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- **Multi-value variable initialization**: ``ubyte a,b,c = multi()``
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- **``%output library`` and ``%jmptable`` directives** — loadable libraries
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- **``%option romable``** — ROM-compatible code warnings
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- **ROMABLE programs** — no inline variables or self-modifying code
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- **Range choices in ``when`` statements**
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- **Foenix256 target**
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- **Boolean virtual registers**: ``cx16.r0bL``, ``cx16.r0bH``
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- **``on .. goto`` / ``on .. call``** — efficient jump tables
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- **Float to int casts** (truncating)
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- **Double buffering** in monogfx module
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**v12.0–v12.1** — November 2024–February 2026
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- **``long`` datatype** — native 32-bit signed integers
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- **Structs reintroduced** — grouping multiple fields together
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- **Typed pointers** — can point to structs and specific types (not just ``uword`` addresses)
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- **PET32 modules**: ``petgfx``, ``petsnd``, ``diskio``
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- **New builtin**: ``swap()``
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- **C128 enhancements**: ``fast()``/``slow()`` for 2MHz mode
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- **String operations**: case-insensitive comparison, ``strings.split()``, ``strings.next_token()``
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- **Virtual target improvements**: ``f_seek()``, ``f_tell()``, ``diskname()``, ``loadlib()``
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**v12.2** — May 2026
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- **Long loop support** — for-loops with long counters on 6502, long math (division, sqrt, min/max/clamp/abs)
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- **``private`` keyword** — for structs, enums, aliases, variables, and subroutines
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- **Const pointers** — compile-time constant-folding for const pointers
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- **``enum`` syntax** — concise constant list declarations
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- **2D array support** — ``ubyte[3][4] matrix``
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- **``swap()`` is now a statement** — more efficient than the previous builtin function
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- **``math.crc16()`` signature changed** — now requires ``initvalue`` and ``xorout`` parameters for flexibility
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- **New compiler options**: ``-daemon`` (IDE integration), ``-nostdlib``
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- **New modules**: ``serial`` (CX16 UART+ZiModem), ``lineclip``, ``wavfile``, ``adpcm``
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- **Fuzzy library search** — ``-libsearch`` now automatically attempts a fuzzy search if no exact matches are found.
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**v12.3** — August 2026
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- Laying groundwork for new code generation targets. Still highly experimental.
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- **Module search order rework** — replaced alphabetical search with a deterministic, prioritized list; filesystem now searched before internal libraries.
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- **New experimental 6502 code generator** based on the IR, enabled with ``-newcodegen`` (do not use for production code yet).
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- **m68k code generator** — a full experimental m68k code generator will follow in a later version.
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- **Embedded arrays in structs** — structs can now contain arrays as fields.
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- **``@bank`` accepts a subroutine name** — for dynamic / overlay banking with a bank manager
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- **New library routines** — ``floats.mod()``; ``sys.MAX_LONG`` / ``sys.MIN_LONG``; PET32 ``petsnd`` playback functions, ``REST`` constant, ``set_gap()``, enharmonic flat note symbols; PET32 ``sys.set_irq()`` / ``sys.restore_irq()``; serial module: configurable baud rate.
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- **Breaking changes** — ``-nostdlib`` removed; ``bankmanager`` renamed to ``bankselector``; ``swap`` is now a statement.
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*This document summarizes major and minor releases. Bugfix releases (e.g., v12.0.1, v12.1.1) are omitted for brevity.*
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