We have begun testing beta version of assembler and linker which was ported for Sprinter computer from CP/M.

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PETERS PLUS LTD

ok... I hope to see soon a version of CP/M and UZIX ;-)

Why are you interested CP/M?

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PETERS PLUS LTD

Because CP/M is a beautiful operating system. It have many programs written for its and (with UZI) there is the possibility to connect to internet a pc.

And what you will say about Hitech C? Its realization for CP/M really good, isn't it?
So, if Hitech C will be ported for Sprinter, it will done possible to use a lot of sources of the programs. Probably CP/M will not be necessary. CP/M-80 not so power OS, by the way. What programs would you like to use with CP/M-80?

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PETERS PLUS LTD

yes.. I know... A C compiler for Sprinter is a good thing...
I hope that an "internet connection" for Sprinter in a near future will allow Sprinter's user to download easyer programs and games and Sprinter could be compared to a normal pc (only cheaper than PC!). Now if someone want to use Sprinter must have another pc (for download newest bios, programs...)
To the world today there is competition between calculator... I hope that an operating system (such as cp/m or better Uzi) can reduce the gap with pc and become more popular the Sprinter (so many software will be develope)

I definitely concur... Even DOS is a x86 "port" of CP/M (and it was pretty good until M$ took care of it).

I know I am not a "programmer" in the strict sense, but... What about a nice BASIC version for Sprinter?
No flaming, please, you "real" C programmers! ;)

BASIC is the almost only language I know, (along with a bit of Z-80 assembly... I've born with a Speccy after all), and I had FIG-FORTH for the ZX, but did not much programming with it. I really think a BASIC compiler will be more "natural" for ZX freaks.

Whadda U think?

Here you go ! The idea to have a flexible Computer, supporting lots of things seems nice! (Especially cheap internet alternative!) That would be a "yummy" gadget, man!!!
Just imagine how many people in Russia would be able to get i-net connection with a computer of $100 value! Hooh:)

I think not in Russia only.
I see, some of our forum members assumes an opportunity of creation the connection to Internet from Sprinter after porting CP/M to the Sprinter only...
There are other opinions?

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PETERS PLUS LTD

I suppose not fully Internet compatible (because applet java, shockwave etc uses 32 bit istrutions) but a "light" internet (such as the pocket internet explorer of palm) or text based email client...

If a C compiler 'll be available, maybe a Linux port (or other UNIX clone) 'll be more interesting than a CP/M for more professional work with this machine... (I think so, because all Amiga users and Sinclair QL users turned to Linux running on their lovely machines!)

CP/M is thouthends programs like hitech-c, turbo-pascal, dbase2, archivers and many many others!!! If you will support CP/M interface that you get more people, who will want to buy it! I have CD with 650M of CP/M programs!!! And each of them have size less than 64K (packages have size a few more). Think about :)

Alexander Shabarshin (shaos@mail.ru)

In my Opinion, CP/M on the sprinter can be a dangerous step, in one hand we would get more software on the other hand we would be restricted to CPM specs, i think that a port or a make of a 'decent' (note the quotes) language is a very important step, ASM is good but too dificult for starters, the easyer the languge the more developers would get on the sprinter wagon.

Jorge

In my opinion I think that there are more users than programmers....

We hope, С (but which?) from CP/M will be next language for Sprinter. I think, you know about the sources for some variants of BASIC compilers.

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PETERS PLUS LTD

> CP/M is thouthends programs like hitech-c, turbo-pascal, dbase2, archivers and many many others!!!

Hm, and what about Linux or other UNIX clone?
Turbo pascal and DBase 2 are 20 years old!
I think, Sprinter is enough powerfull to run more complex and stabile operating system with new and modern progs than CP/M, and don't forget, UNIX is more compatible and allows running of X-Window user interface, but standard CP/M runs in text mode only and if it uses a graphic interface, it has less compatibility with other CP/M clones!!!

> Hm, and what about Linux or other UNIX clone?

Sorry, but Linux is 32-bits system! But Sprinter is 8-bits system.
We can talk only for *nix-like 8-bits OS as UZIX, but
it compiled and installed from CP/M-80 too ...


Alexander Shabarshin (shaos@mail.ru)

While Linux on the Sprinter would probably be impossible on the current hardware, there's no reason why GCC or similar developer utilities could not be ported from Linux to function under the Sprinter hardware. It would demand a lot of work. Perhaps Minix would be a more suitable choice of a Unix clone?

Even though there is a large wealth of software for Unix systems, i can't help wondering if most Linux/Unix programs are too inefficient to work well on an 8 bit CPU. Take integers for instance: Under GCC integers are as standard 32 bits. To recompile a GCC program for Z80, would mean you had to emulate 32 bit integers in software, because the largest number representable on Z80 is 16 bits, resulting in a performance slowdown.

Besides, Linux is bloatware ;)

Unix and Linux aren't for 8 bit cpu!!
There is UZI that is a "unix clone" for CP/M... so....

Maybe it would be a good idea to have a look at z88dk: it is a free z80 C compiler, which supports a wide range of platforms (including zx spectrum). It looks like adding Sprinter support should not be difficult for someone with deep Sprinter knowledge :).

Its home page is http://z88dk.sourceforge.net

Regards,

Javier Peсa