ZX Format #04 14 июня 1996

Интервью

Interview - Interview with Captain Nemo with comments Iskrasoft firm.

(C) Nemo 1996.


     Interview of Captain Nemo magazine ZX
Format with comments and additions from
Company Iskrasoft.
_________________________________________


     ZXF: Do you see any
outlook for Spectrum?


     Nemo: I wonder what does that mean?
Are there any prospects in mind
Technical improvements or
viability of the Spectrum in general?


     So - in order. Further
Technical Perspective
improve problematic. I do not
see any further opportunities
development of architecture without introducing
operating system (hereinafter - the OS).
Incidentally, this is the case when the expression
"User is always right" is wrong.
User in this regard is set
quite conservative. So, dear
my, no high-resolution screen, no
hard drive or memory 1megabayt unreal
without the OS. If it is set, then
partaking of those benefits would not be possible
without studying it, the correct
use and software updates
Security (hereinafter - the software) and equipment.
This is just what the user does not want.
I do not want to learn, want to marry - chew
and all put in your mouth. And then the offended
he lectured the next
"Mulk lotion (ie, device
questionable consumer value)
although as a rule, he gets
just what is asked. Generally,
Spectrum architecture is very
conservative. Really have
not compete with the esteemed
competitors, and with the mountain of trash, which was 
established in 90 - 92 years. and Now repeatedly resold.

Actually, the tone of the market and given
this old, good it's cheap. So,
my dear, I warn you in advance
somehow improve this rubbish
something to connect to it or repair you will not succeed.
Put the OS - also not be able to:
required reliability, at least
most 3 times than that of the old -
change the parameters of reliability in-, come perepaivaniem 
wires in the kitchen impossible. For updating software and 
hardware have to pay money - I doubt

that you are ready. I would like to
throw a stone into the garden and programmers.
Relentlessly reminding producers about
need to improve
apparatus and its development, they create
program under Spectrum48, not
using the opportunities that
implemented in the latest models, ie
objectively making efforts to directly
opposite direction, supporting
junk. Mention it - is, of course, and
objective reasons, namely
uniqueness of the implementation of additional
features the latest models of different
firms. So, the introduction of the OS is capable of
to solve this problem, if the Lord
programmers deign to write under her
program. Now - about the prospects
Spectrum'a as a platform. To
platform there is needed
defined as the density of users
per unit of population and per unit
Our area of ​​China. As in
nuclear reactor, in the absence of
critical concentration of the reaction does not
go. So, now this
concentration decreases and approaches
dangerous line. And it is not at IBM, and
banal penniless population
(Users). You can limit the scope of
termination of the Spectrum 'a
two socially relevant framework.
Spectrum did not stop her
existence earlier than the public becomes
with toilet paper on the newspaper and not
last longer than the audience becomes
with the industrial footwear on bast. If
will legitimize Spectrum as
school computer for school, he
survive a second birth, and
consequences are not able to calculate even
Your humble servant. This is a good
Chernobyl (continuing the analogy with atomic
reactor). There are a variety of
consequences, since the advent of
16-bit Speccy (if it can be
will be called) to the bankruptcy
IBM. Company (C) Nemo is ready to support
any undertaking of any person (whether they
physical, but more so of the juridical) to
this direction.


     ZXF: Which OS do you think
preferred?


     Nemo: The question, worthy prince
Vladimir. On the horizon are viewed
two OS - IS-DOS and CP / M. Let's have them
comparable. Advance warning that a point
biased view, since the computers
KAY-256 will be IS-DOS.

     First of all - the origin. IS-DOS
- Native SP-B-shnaya system, CP / M -
overseas origin. In Moscow
dabble with CP / M, use the IS-DOS in
their hands are short. It is very difficult to work with
system, if the head of the system, ie,
Firm-developer on hoditsya 700 km.
For the regions, I think this argument is
so very important.


     ZXF: How do you understand the term "operating system"?


     Nemo: What OS? This kernel
author's interpretation. Nucleus has
standard entry point and standard
protocols to interact with them.
Baby currently operating, the manufacturer
begins to fuss and adjust to it
their drivers (short programmulki,
that support its Mulk, ie,
hardware freaks). Since the driver -
thing that can be acquired and transient, then
manufacturer creates additional
opportunities. This wider range of
Possible hardware implementations, and
additional room for maneuver in
price, consumer qualities and
architecture. The equipment receives
additional impetus to development.
Competition between producers of
Part Moolack break the deadlock and
directed to productive direction.
Say, the problem of withdrawal of the text of the
magazine to the printer automatically solved
through the OS. The programmer has to
only once "adjust" the point
entrance. Note that the headaches of
part of the "promiscuity" of equipment for
it no longer exists.

     Thus, the operating system - an intermediary
between the program (a programmer) and
apparatus (the manufacturer). If
Software refers only to
authorized entry points, he receives
the desired result with an enviable
constant, regardless of type and
pparatury, to the delight of both visitors
and manufacturers' hardware.

     Like any middleman, the OS uses
part of the resources on your own needs.
Therefore, good performance and
memory will not redundant.


     And now - some of the parameters and
properties of the OS.


     The first - the interface with the user.
In CP / M - is the command line in the IS-DOS -
window interface and menu system. Many
of you, dear users, will be levied on
heavy mat keyboard, screen and other
nearby objects, filling bukvochki
commands at the command prompt. Enough
one mistake to get a "What?" and
start all over again (remember the postman
Pechkin, so here it is from there). So that
arrangement of keys on the keyboard and
English (in volume OS commands) have to
learn by heart. Windowed interface
convenient because it can with impunity
wield a mouse, but when you make mistakes,
unscrew the back.


     The second - the requirements to architecture.
CP / M is placed on any computer
complex, based on the I8080. This
good and bad. First of all I / O
focused on the so-called console.
He - serial-by-character! Forget about
existence of a graphic screen. CP / M
produced in a time when most
commonly used input-output
was an electric typewriter. If
You have suddenly decided to score any character
in the previous line (when it was pressed
<ENTER>), Then the system you will not understand. For
system depression <ENTER> means "translation
return and line feed. "Note that
for electromechanical typewriter
these concepts - literally, so in terms
view OS CP / M, unscrew the back well in any way
impossible. Therefore, the text on the screen and
figuratively and literally
like a sheet of paper, get out of
typewriter. To change at least
one character on screen, the entire text
must perevyvesti screen again.
As for the graphics programs on
CP / M, then so can not exist.
If the program uses at least one
appeal to the equipment minuyuschee
standard entry point, it is no longer
CP / M-program. See this very
easy poprobova in to run it on another
type of computer with the same OS.

     Third - the class of users. CP / M
oriented professionals. Well
Does it? Nice, but not much and not
always. Try to gain something
unpretentious in C - just for fun.
Scored? Wait ... Well done! Turned
commercials lines 50-100, and what you want
language of a professional. Now
compile. What we have in
The result? You will not believe your eyes - 8
KBytes? Why would it? And all very
simple - so your software supplied
called the "root segment.
C compiler thinks that your job
(And hence the program)
professional, that is so
complicated that an additional 8 kilobytes of you
and not notice.


     Fourth - the number of nuclear levels. As
and TR-DOS (which, incidentally, the standard
entry point has not, and therefore not
is the OS), the CP / M is not mass
useful and necessary things. Therefore, as in
MS-DOS, there is in it his likeness
NORTON'a - a program POWER, -
add-in that implements the missing
kernel function (in TR-DOS'e there are different
boot'y, DCU, Doctor'a, etc., etc.).
Of course, CP / M + POWER is better than
just CP / M, but POWER - it's just
USER, albeit with extraordinary powers.


     Fifth - subdirectories. Those in the CP / M
none at all. To run a specific
program in the CP / M to type it
name on bukvochkam, and if delivered POWER,
you can simply enter the number
corresponding program in the table
files. There is also a "monkey" -
program SUBMIT, allows you to run
to perform a chain of files.


     Sixth - providing information on
disk. In CP / M driver floppy writes
manufacturer of (developer) equipment
therefore, the transfer programs on the disk is not
so obviously simple as it could
would suggest. The situation here is roughly
is the same as in the means of developing
memory above 128K on Spectrum'e - someone
follows the established standards, while others
does not consider them as such. So for
transfer programs, if you suddenly have no luck
In this sense, may be needed
system programmer that too far
unrealistic.


     Now - about the requirements for USER'am -
ie, programs aimed at OS:
First - use only
standard entry points, ie, treatment
to the equipment only through the operating system, and 
secondly - when you click on the program should <ESC>

to transfer control of the OS.


     And finally, the seventh and final -
screen. CP / M is designed to screen 24 (25)
lines of 80 characters. You can, of course,
use 32 and 64 characters, but then
tails of lines will be transferred in
resulting text will look
very peculiar. Programs toys
using pseudographics will
and look at all mysterious.


*****************************************

Comment Iskrasoft.


     Dear readers ZX
Format. The author of the above article
approached us with a request
comment on it and express their
opinion on matters relating to
Operating System IS-DOS and its role in
the future of Speccy in Russia. Word
provided by the Chief Software
dept Eliseev Vadim
Anatol'evichu.

****************************************


     Hello, dear readers.
With all the sharpness and apparent at first
paradoxical view expressed at
This article judgments can not
noted that the issues which the author
it raises are extremely important for
the future of the Spectrum in Russia.
Maybe not all are able to
objectively evaluate the existing
position, but there are a number of
circumstances which can not be
turn a blind eye, regardless of whether
like them or not. There is no doubt
now the boom around the ZX Spectrum (as
around the idea of ​​total computerization
our society), which was observed for 2-3
years ago has passed. Talking about it and
cessation of mass production
ZX-compatible personal computers
(Hereinafter - PC) many large
businesses and individuals and firms, and
reduction in fresh software
Security (hereinafter - PO) from Abroad
(Poland, Czech Republic, etc.), and a gradual
shift some of the users on the
other platforms (including IBM), and
overall sharp decline in turnover,
involved in Spectrum'ovskom
business.

     However, everything is so hopeless? AND
is it really to blame for all the hardware and
programmatic weaknesses of the Speccy?
Author of the article rightly
notes that one of the main reasons
decline of interest in the ZX Spectrum
is the mass impoverishment
consumers. Indeed, people who do not
had the money to buy
Professional PC, and had
opportunity to buy Spectrum, now
often can not afford to buy
even a pocket calculator ...

     However, this can be said for a long time
and to no avail. Let's talk more about more
specific problems.

     I think that you, dear readers,
do not blame me if I allow myself
express after a respected author
Article few seditious thoughts.


          So - thought the first one:


          TR-DOS IS DEAD, GOD!


     Yes, TR-DOS is dead, and it's time already,
Finally, recognize. TR-DOS as
operating system does not exist, since
anything done recently
good for the ZX Spectrum with a floppy drive
made it to bypass the TR-DOS.

     In addition, TR-DOS was never
operating system as such, because
that had no hardware-dependent
specific model BIOS or system
standard entry points (except, of course,
# 3D13), or peripheral support
devices, or normal
UI. Generally,
impression that the ZX Spectrum
was conceived and developed as a machine,
essentially has no OS.

     Yes, TR-DOS is dead, and the only thing
still maintains his body in an upright
position - is the abundance adapted to
his toys and what he is stitched into the ROM
Beta-disk interface, which has become for some
fatal accident unofficial
standard in our country and without which
we now can not imagine
ZX Spectrum.

     Conclusion: as rightly
notes in his interview with the distinguished
Captain Nemo, Spectrum'u need a real
operating system, but
necessary and complete software
compatibility with existing software. Here
I hasten to make a reservation, the notion of "full
program compatibility "in this
case can be quite arbitrary.
Recall, for the appearance of TR-DOS'a
Almost all programs had to
remodel or re-write, most importantly,
to work with the required
minimum, or would have been any
alternative (such as
MAGIC-files, but without the inherent
weaknesses).

     Now to the question of CP / M. Once
in ehokonferentsii ZX.SPECTRUM network
FidoNet I asked "And what,
in fact, good CP / M? "answers hit
its unanimity: "A
professional software
security! "Thus, in
CP / M situation is as follows -
obsolete, though good for
its real-time professional
operating system CP / M also exists
only due to the abundance of programs, though
did not play as a TR-DOS, and
system, applications and tools.

     From personal experience with CP / M on
PROFI computer, I can say that
user, the system is sufficient
inconvenient. Irritating to the lack of
subdirectories standard support
graphical display, convenient file
shell is very poorly developed system
commands DOS, low speed
programs, mainly because of
character by character display information on
display and much more. Main
dignity of CP / M - larger format disk
(800K), more intelligently organized
keyboard (albeit only when
keyboard from IBM through
dedicated controller), and most importantly -
80-character video mode, without which,
as noted in the article, "program text
would look very peculiar. "Yes
What there is peculiar! .. This is if the text
and if, God forbid, the menu with windows -
what then? However ... back to the subject.

     The main charm of CP / M for PROFI was
just not the case, and (note)
IN SHAREHOLDERS 'BIOS, greatly
enlarged compared with the standard
BIOS CP/M-80. With his help for
PROFI were written by the best programs
enjoyed by all who dealt
with this machine. Is not this an obvious
example of what the opportunities available
in the operating system CP / M today nedostatchno.


         Hence - the idea of ​​two:


   Speccy need real operating

                SYSTEM

which not only give new
possible, but (and this is most important)
will be used directly or
minimal changes to existing
program. To date, as
Sadly, such a system, we have not.
Therefore, now more than ever is
question of a new stage in the development ZX
Spectrum.

     Absolutely right author,
claiming that today it is impossible to live
old baggage, we must develop Speccy,
creating out of it then an intermediate
between game consoles and
Professional PCs, which we all
now so lacking.

     Do not talk about the cheapness and
accessibility for mainstream users
IBM PC XT, 286 and so on! This is the purest
Water fiction! Of course, smart and experienced
Russian hacker-craftsman, a seasoned
Permanent massives on the market in Avtovo
or after reading ads
SPB.BUSINESS may eventually collect
themselves from second-hand stuff the 286 th bucks
for 150, but most (I say)
USERS (yes, those same users,
which many do not like, but for the sake of
which, ultimately, each and
done) have a long and tedious search for
ready PCs, and as a result of pay
any office is 300-400 green
(Prices are real - taken from the catalog
Info All of April 1996) for a completely
hopelessly outdated iron, which
unlikely to be later Upgrade
(Word-then what ...) to something more
decent. Not to mention the fact that
find today a serious program,
capable of running on 286 th - too
Serious problem ... However, I think
carried away ...

     Let us return to our problems. So
some thoughts on the subject:


           What Must be able OS

        And that it should be.

1. OS components


     1.1 In fact, the core system - a set of
sub-standard entry points
to ensure that the system
and applications.

     1.2 The system device driver
providing a binding system to
concrete realization of PC (keyboard,
display, disk drive, hard drive, printer,
mouse, memory, etc.)

     1.3 User Interface -
shell, file
Shell, etc.

     1.4, additional utilities and
external commands

2. Functions of OS


     2.1 Organization of the disk
Space

         2.1.1 subdirectories

         2.1.2 files of long

         2.1.3 segmented files


     2.2 Maintenance of resident
programs

     2.3 Use expanded memory

     2.4 Ability to access the hardware
system from the program without the user
Reset the last

     2.5 Ability to function calls
OS from the user program via
standard entry point

3. Software


     3.1 Original

     3.2 Adaptive

     3.3 Compatibility with existing software for
ZX Spectrum


     Now try to compare the possible
candidates for the new operating system for the ZX
Spectrum in these parameters. As
applicants are offered:


     1. BASIC 48/128 + TR-DOS

     2. CP / M

     3. IS-DOS

     4. Shadow Scorpion monitor with
installed system MAGOS, also
possessing some properties of the OS, although
and in its infancy.


                           Table 1.
OS components.
****************************************

            TR-DOS CP / M IS-DOS MAGOS
****************************************
system
restarts no * yes yes no
****************************************
Drivers no ** yes yes yes yes ***
****************************************
interface no no yes no
****************************************
ext.
Utilities do not **** yes yes yes yes
****************************************

   * Sole entry point # 3D13
difficult to identify the system restarts

   ** Awesome! The only driver
in the ROM - the printer for BASIC 128 - is targeted
the absence in most of the schemes
interface!

   *** At least the printer

   **** In not included,
All problems are solved, mainly
by application programs.



                            Table 2.
Functions of the OS.
****************************************

             TR-DOS CP / M IS-DOS MAGOS
****************************************
subdirectories no no yes no
****************************************
long
Files no no yes no
****************************************
segmentation.
Files no no yes no
****************************************
resident
program is not there is no *
****************************************
advanced
No memory is available available
****************************************
hard
yield no no no yes **
****************************************
treatment of
programs do not *** yes yes yes yes
****************************************

     * The only example - she MAGOS,
is a resident extension
Shadow monitor

     ** Separate attempts, however, were
(I think in the ATM-TURRBO)

     *** If there is one, then
Non-standard entry point



                              Table 3.
Availability of software.
****************************************

              TR-DOS CP / M IS-DOS MAGOS
****************************************
original yes yes yes *
****************************************
adapted
with ZX is no there there
****************************************
compatibility with
old software is no no yes
****************************************
* The same MAGOS



     As can be seen from the above
tables, actually the largest number of
satisfies the requirements of the system IS-DOS,
second place honestly shared CP / M and
MAGOS, well and about the TR-DOS, I generally keep quiet ...

     Thus, we come back to
a seditious thought, the third:
what if


   MERGE IS-DOS, MAGOS AND SHADOW

                MONITOR


     and on this basis, discarding all
unnecessary to create a real operating system for the ZX
Spectrum of a new generation?


      From the IS-DOS is:


     1. A powerful file system
subdirectories, segmented files
etc.

     2. Developed system restarts

     3. ability to service any
Hardware with drivers

     4. User-friendly interface

     5. Ability to work with resident
programs


      From the MAGOS this:


     1. Ability to download neskolkiz
programs and operational switching
between

     2. The ability to use
additional programs coded in ROM
ROM-drive


      On the part of the Shadow Monitor are:


     1. The possibility of a hardware output in the
system without resetting the user program
2. Integrated debugging


     Agree, a tempting prospect?
Especially when you consider that this
great idea, as the Shadow Monitor
to date does not implement its
full potential, remaining only narrowly
special "hacking gadgets", suitable
only to break other people's programs at
by far the best
monitor / debugger.

     Naturally, such a global
task as the creation of the new OS will require
large hardware resources. And here we are
come close to the Fourth seditious
thoughts:

 TIME Extensible architecture ZX SPECTRUM


     and to standardize a new
version, while maintaining the maximum
possible software compatibility
available software.


      That is assumed in this regard:


     1. The presence of at least 256 (preferably
512) RAM

     2. The presence of total Russian
keyboard, performed on the model of IBM PC
(You can not function keys and
digital field)

     3. The presence of a standardized
of slots, allowing simultaneous
Connection 3 - 5 devices

     4. Availability of hardware and software
available to the Shadow Monitor, which includes
a OS, drivers, additional
Utilities

     5. Perhaps the system RPZU or RAM
with standby power supply to store the OS,
utilities, drivers, and the current configuration
(So ​​as not to alter ROM upgrade
software versions)


     Generally, in my opinion, this can
be machine new design
oriented IS-DOS/MAGOS/TM, but
able to emulate the work of TR-DOS,
or having an alternative way
Download TR-DOS programs (which
preferable, since it allows
DO NOT store them on a TR-DOS
devices - hard drive, RAM-or
ROM-drives, etc.).


     The main problem, which can
arise during the installation of the OS
new Speccy - this is a problem of memory. For
the normal functioning of the OS 16
KBytes from # 0000 to # 3FFF clearly
insufficient, and the rest of the memory
Speccy is commonly used programs
user, and there is no DOS to live
can not.

     In this connection I am reminded of a
very original idea, expressed by
about a year ago, our Moscow
colleagues from the firm's "slot". The gist of it - in
following: the standard Spectrum 128
there is only one window projection
paged memory - # C000 - # FFFF, in
computers Scorpion - two (# C000 - # FFFF
and # 0000 - # 3FFF), and that if we make all
projected window? Then it will be possible
provide for the needs of even the whole OS
virtual machine, and if necessary
Download the regular program to replace its
page to others, download them
program and pass control to it.
Of course, that when you spec.
keys (DOS, ESC, MAGIC or more
as a page) the OS should
back into place, the execution
program to save and manage
transferred to the system. Whew!

     Unfortunately, I must admit, is not
are so well versed in the intricacies of the hardware
PC to sober otsenitetu idea, but
very much all this tempting, and most importantly -
helps solve a major problem
- The problem of compatibility with legacy software to
Speccy.


       Well, actually, and everything!


     Maybe someone from readers
Journal wish to express their opinion on
about the above thoughts, ideas, etc.
- Write to us, it is possible to the Editor
or directly in Iskrasoft (194100, SP-B,
Forest Ave 65, Bldg. 1, br. 526,
Iskrasoft Division, IS-DOS) or over a network
FidoNet (2:5030 / 299.11), or call us
call 245-0091 and 245-9011
(Ask the IS-DOS).


     Dear programmers,
developers, manufacturers ZX Spectrum,
software and related products, please contact
us! Remember, your opinion may chtoot
depend on whether to be a Speccy 97, and how he
be. And in our complex and contradictory
time for us all, more than ever, it is important
unite, forget about
their own ambitions and stereotypes, and
common efforts to breathe new life into
good old Speccy.


     Sincerely, Chief Software
dept Iskrasoft, Eliseev VA

SP-B, Iskrasoft, 12.05.96g