From: ear@wpi.WPI.EDU (Mr. Neat-O [tm])
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm,comp.os.cpm
Subject: Re: Urgent info/suggestions for CP/M 3+ (Z80)???
Date: 6 Apr 92 19:12:51 GMT
Article-I.D.: wpi.1992Apr6.191251.18653
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

In article <43855@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> tgf@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Trever Furnish - Starfreedom) writes:
>Hello.  I know this is a ridiculus rush, but I'm left with little choice.
>I have literally two to three weeks to learn everything I can about the 
>CP/M software available for my computer's version of the OS, called in the
>manual, "CP/M 3+", for the Commodore 128.  The processor used is the Z80,
>without any math coprocessors or whatever else there is.  Several stores
>have been unable to help me find the reference manual for the version I have,
>and the I can't find any books in the campus library for my version.  I
>don't even know what versions would be similar to the one I have or what 
>versions came before and after it.  I have *very* little experience with 
>it, so *absolutely anything* would be helpful and greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure where you can obtain literature about Commodore's
implementation of CP/M.  However, if I remember correctly, the C128 was
designed to emulate a Kaypro 4 (another CP/M machine) which used the same
escape code commands for its console as an ADM3a terminal.  This knowledge
would be of use to you if you want to do any kind of screen handling such as
clearing the screen and/or positioning the cursor.  I don't know what the
codes are off the top of my head, but you ought to be able to look them up
in your nearest /etc/termcap under ADM3a.

>The reason I am so desperately interested in the OS all of the sudden is it
>seems to be the only chance I have of finding a *good* C compiler for my
>computer.  Is there a C compiler for CP/M 3+ that conforms to the ANSI standard
>or at least conforms completely to the K&R standard?  Is any of it available
>from ftp?  Does anyone know of a source for the manual?

I know of a good K&R C compiler for CP/M v2.2, so in theory it should work
with v3+, but perhaps some other CP/M guru could explain how ther versions
differ.  The compiler of which I am speaking is called Mix C, and it is
available from the following:

Ed Grey Enterprises
P.O. Box #2186
Inglewood, CA 90305

Phone: (213)-759-7406 (voice)   or   971-6260 (BBS)

For $25, including shipping, you can get the Mix C compiler and manual for
CP/M (it's also available for MS-Dos).  I'm not sure what disk formats are
available, but if you can't get it directly in C128 format, you should be
able to get it in something like IBM PC format and then transfer the files
via serial port.  The Mix C compiler, unlike many other C compilers that you
may discover for CP/M is capable of handling floats, and is generally a
solid program with a very nice manual.  I speak as a satisfied customer, and
have no other association with Ed Grey. 

P.S.- Please excuse any blatent typos, I'm having alot of problems with line
noise right now.

P.P.S.- There is only one bug I have discovered with Mix C.  When you are
compiling a program, it creates a .mix file (object file), and if you make
changes and recompile, you'd better delete the old .mix file or random
problems such as program hangs may occur.  Other than that, it's a great
program.

+---------< Eric A. Rasmussen - Mr. Neat-O (tm) >---------+ +< Email Address >+
|   A real engineer never reads the instructions first.   | | ear@wpi.wpi.edu |
|   (They figure out how it works by playing with it.)    | | ear%wpi@wpi.edu |
+---------------------------------------------------------+ +-----------------+
                     ((( In Stereo Where Available )))
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm