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Messages - Stephane Richard
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1
« on: January 06, 2012, 08:50 AM »
never underestimate the power of a blacklord lol.
2
« on: April 19, 2011, 12:05 AM »
Thank youBigDumbDinosaure. Seems like whatever I decide to play with, it is just better in machine language.  I think I just have to shut up, and start learning assembly language. lol So then, if I want to start learning, and learn well enough to do all this with the diskdrive and whatever else. What are the recommended readings? Something that will take me all the way there. Hell sounds and graphics while I'm at it. Any recommendations from the assembler programmers out there? Thank you again. I will play with this and see what I can do in BASIC, but clearly, it looks like I have to go the way of the assembler.
3
« on: April 16, 2011, 09:55 PM »
Just wondering here, because BASIC 7.0 talks of record length limits of 254 characters. Yet many database packages seem to offer much more than that. so what is the trick? could I programmatically access more than 254 byte records (say 3 such records and programmatically skip 3 records at a time to simulate files of longer lengths than 254 bytes? has anyone played with that?
The 254 byte (not character) record limit is enforced by the Commodore DOS, not Basic 7.0. This is because the Commodore GCR format creates 256 byte sectors. Two bytes in each sector are used for internal indexing purposes, leaving 254 for user data. This applies to all CBM floppy drives that have supported the RELative file format and is independent of the version of BASIC running on the computer itself.
You can treat multiple physical records as a single logical record as you mentioned. For example, by using four physical records to represent one logical record, a record size of 1016 bytes is possible. It's a simple matter of arranging for your keyed indexing method to jump record numbers by multiples of the physical records that are used. You will waste some space, but that can't be helped.
However...
Once you get into the realm of using multiple physical records to create a large logical record you are going to experience performance hits. Reading a RELative file record involves at least two disk accesses: one to read the side sector table that indexes the RELative file and the other to actually read in the data. In the case of record sizes that result in the spanning of disk blocks, an extra access is required to read the tail end of the record. This is where implementing a direct access method (using U0: and U1: disk commands) would make more sense.
Direct access is more complicated to code (you're keeping track of disk usage in a way that the CBM DOS does not), but is much faster. In direct access, only one disk access is required for any record size from 1 to 256 bytes, two accesses for record sizes from 257 to 512 bytes, three for record sizes from 513 to 768 bytes, etc. Also, no indexing bytes are used, which means you get the full 256 bytes in each block. Much larger record sizes are possible, limited only by the constraints of 16 bit integer arithmetic and disk capacity.
Way back when, I set up a direct access method on a 128 running from a pair of SFD-1001s (one drive for programs and the other for data). The low level disk access stuff was in M/L, and involved read/writing the disk by track and sector number. In the M/L the T&S values were converted into logical record numbers. The BASIC program used a SYS call to read or write a record. I later ported the concept to the Lt. Kernal, using the LK's type 5 (contiguous data) file structure as a pseudo-RELative file. The LK version could read in a 1K size record in about 30 milliseconds.
For those who have a Lt. Kernal (aka Rear Adminral) hard drive subsystem, the LK DOS officially supports RELative file record sizes up to 3072 bytes. However, a maximum record size of 3327 is possible.
thank you for all the replies guys . for this particular one. Is there anywhere (or do you know yourself) of an example of doing it the direct way as you mention? not with Lt Kernal as I don't have that, but the other mention you speak of . Thanks again.
4
« on: April 16, 2011, 01:35 AM »
Ahhh found it, thank you hoss. I can't wait to give this a try on a few things.
5
« on: April 15, 2011, 07:27 PM »
I was just wondering a few things about Abacus 128 BASIC and this elusive PDF  first, how does this compiler stack up against c128 basic compiler and blitz! 128? I can assume somewhat similar performance gains. what I would really like, is a compiler that really helps the speed of text output on the VDC display. Ie, the char and print statements . anyone know which is best for this? And if the PDF has been found, could it be made available? thank you all.
6
« on: April 13, 2011, 09:57 PM »
But is it so, that Pocket Write 2 is indeed the bankstreet suite? I ask because I downloaded pocket writer 2 here, and it sure looks like bankstreet writer (from that youtube video called special bundle).
if that's the case, would it be possible to get our hands on pocket filer and pocket planner too so we can get the whole suite?
Thank you all.
7
« on: April 09, 2011, 11:17 PM »
Hi all, me again. Yeah I noticed some of the downloads here and elsewhere on the web come in files with the .nib extension. How do I get to use those in Vice? I tried to attach drive, cartridges of nothing gives me the nib extension. thanks in advance.
8
« on: April 07, 2011, 04:33 AM »
LOL Hydrophilic. I put my 36 years in computing behind it, and I can't make it simpler than your "nothing" solution. LOL thank you for that answer. cause I would have probably had fun with the run command and bring down all the saints from the sky.
9
« on: April 06, 2011, 09:58 AM »
I was thinking about doing that yes. I just wanted to know if there was perhaps an easier way to do it. because the information would be a filename and possible a few other values, it would be heck to story in memory locations. I won't mind doing the SEQ file if I have to. it's slow but it would be at a point where it would be expected to stop for a little bit too. but let's see if there's a quick and easy trick. thank you for answering
10
« on: April 06, 2011, 02:41 AM »
The title says it all . program one is the menu. and let's say the user selects option 3 in the menu. I ask for a file name I store in FN$ for example. when I execute the program for option 3. I would like that program to have access to FN$ to know which filename to load. can this be done and may I have an example? Thank you all.
11
« on: March 31, 2011, 12:12 AM »
Hi everyone, Just wondering here, because BASIC 7.0 talks of record length limits of 254 characters. Yet many database packages seem to offer much more than that. so what is the trick? could I programmatically access more than 254 byte records (say 3 such records and programmatically skip 3 records at a time to simulate files of longer lengths than 254 bytes? has anyone played with that? Thank you
12
« on: March 29, 2011, 11:32 PM »
There are the answers I needed . thank you hydro. For the REU I didn't know if I had to use it like a ram drive, or something, so it's really purely RAM related. i'll start playing with that. thanks again.
13
« on: March 29, 2011, 07:28 AM »
Hi guys, I have 2 questions I'm still playing with WinVice but these are aimed at C128 owners perhaps, maybe not. 1. In Winvice there's an option to enable bank 2 and bank 3 for the C128. What is that all about? and if that existed, did it raise the c128 to 256kb? Or are these somekind of different RAM/ROM configuration? where can I read the details of this? 2. This question is about the REU and C128 basic 7.0's swap, fetch and stash statements. what exactly can be transwered to and from the REU with these commands? and does anyone have a quick and handy example on how to use them intelligently (the statements that is ). finally a stupid question because I know I could before lol. WinVice use to have an option for using the REU. In winvice 2.3 I can't seem to find where they put it. Anyone know? Thanks all I haven't been here often, but I have been busy playing in WinVice. my birthday is next month for anyone wanting to send me a real C128, 1571 and a good 80 column monitor  LOL Take care guys
14
« on: April 11, 2010, 02:51 AM »
I have returned  . Seriously though, I'm back, bigger, better badder lol. still stuck with WinVICE too lol.
15
« on: August 08, 2008, 11:22 PM »
Great to see its' back, finally. ... I missed just about everyone here. cept for new members, which I don't know yet. lol but on the next downtime I'll probably miss you guys too LOL.
17
« on: March 17, 2008, 08:33 PM »
Now how awesome is that huh? Excellent find man. Guitar Hero on a C64. Now THAT rocks!!! ;-)
18
« on: March 01, 2008, 09:27 PM »
Ok, don't panic, the very first thing to do here is simple, get me an "It's twin" cigar and send it to me. ;-)
lol I remember when I was thinking just that 7 years ago. The first thing to do is to get the big wheel turning. By big wheel I mean the "feed, change diaper, day dream about sleeping (cause that's gone for a while lol). Best thing I can tell you is stock up on food and diapers.
some kids react weird to regular formula if your kids have a hard time sleeping (night or day) well even after a week, might be time to consider soy based formula. It did wonders on my son and my daughter both.
Oh and get used to waking up for night feedings. ;-)....
19
« on: February 28, 2008, 11:09 AM »
This looks like an awesome book from what you're saying. I can't wait to sink my eyes into it. ;-)
20
« on: February 27, 2008, 10:11 PM »
Me, I'm more into application building, sounds and music. I like to create function user interfaces (text or graphics) that hopefully makes things easier and quicker to use. For many cases this doesn't imply a necessary use of S.A.A. standards specifically in the field of C.U.A. sub standards (Commun User Access).
I don't mind a game or two, but gaming is not my forte on computers. ;-)....
22
« on: January 15, 2008, 03:38 AM »
Lol, I'll let it go for now. but I'm warning you, if history repeats itself, and we end up fighting against atari XL, apple II and the like forums, I WANT THE POWER!!!! lol
Congrats all, ;-). well deserved I'm sure, cept for xlar54 maybe with the recent demonstration of a power trip. LOL.
23
« on: January 05, 2008, 09:15 PM »
LOL well that's exactly it. And I'm not in denial of my vic 20 no way... *secretly clicks the link above* ;-) my problem right now is should I joine denial vic 20 or vic 20 anonymous?
Hello, my name is MystikShadows and I've been using since it first came out. It all started back in .... (consciensously spares the gory details of lifeless life lol). etc etc...but there's no anonymous groups anywhere around here. maybe I should start one LOL.
24
« on: January 05, 2008, 08:10 AM »
I thought it must have been one of rhe more complete and detailed games available on the vic 20 in the early 80s.
Map of the world, anti missile destruction, you name it, it had a whole lot if gaming features, very impressive for a vic 20 ;-). It came as a cartridge so maybe it had a ram expansion in it hehe.
25
« on: January 04, 2008, 10:44 AM »
Nice link, you're right. I think indeed this place could use something like that, as well as and basic memory map (summary maybe, and other stuff like that. :-).
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