FAST Forth Native-Language Embedded Computers

Features
Departments I
6 Adventures in Serial Communications A1 Mitchell
Serial data communications can be many times less expensive than parallel methods. But with
far fewer wires for the data, speed penalties can be significant. This discussion of data formats,
protocols, and circumventing DOS overhead by directly controlling UARTs with Forth shows
that properly implemented serial communications can be pushed to extremely high speeds
or sent over distances up to four kilometers.
A Line Editor and History Function Charles Curley
Users of skeletal Forth systems: you can retrieve and re-execute that series of commands
without re-typing them. And just because you aren't using a fully frilled text editor doesn't
mean you have to live entirely without editing tools. Boost your programming productivity
right where you spend the most time-at the command-line.
Parallel Forth: The New ApproachMichael Montvelishsky
From Russia, the author provides an extension that brings parallel programming to Forth-
even if, for now, you do have only one processor. With it, you can write code processes that
not only communicate with each other, but manage productive offspring.
20 Readability Revisited Garth Wilson
Every well-run ship and airplane has its gear stowed and hatches secured. More than aesthetics,
these are issues of practicality and safety. Whether or not you have been accused of producing
write-only code, refining your program's physical layout will improve its clarity, reliability, and
maintainability, and will demonstrate your care and workmanship.
27 Print ZIP Barcodes Walter J. Rottenkolber
Generating postal barcodes, whether to speed your mail or to save money, is an interesting
project in applied Forth. It requires careful design and placement of graphics, and understand-
ing five-bit numbers and postal codes up to eleven digits long. This implementation will make
your letters compatible with state-of-the-art scanning and sorting technologies.
33 Optimizing '386 Assembly Code David M. Sanders
This article discusses optimization techniques for machine code generated during compilatoin.
'386 assembly language is used to illustrate the techniques, but many of are applicable to other
processors, including the 68000 family. Certain techniques can especially reduce the amount
of machine code generated by Forth compilers.
4 Editorial .................. ANS Forth announced
5 Letters ..................... Something old, something new; Off-line resources.
31 Advertisers Index
42 Fast Forthward ......... Forth: always new, despite its age
Forth Dimensions 3 March 1994 April